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THE BLESSING OF DAILY STUDY
"The beauty and riches of the word have a transforming influence on
mind and character."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 132.
"There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than the
study of the Scriptures. No other book is so potent to elevate the thoughts,
to give vigor to the faculties, as the broad, ennobling truths of the Bible.
If God's word were studied as it should be, men would have a breadth of
mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose rarely seen in
these
times."—Steps to Christ,
page go.
"The more you search the Scriptures with humble hearts, the greater will
be your interest. . . . Every day you should learn something new from the
Scriptures."—Testimonies, vol.
5, p. 266.
My Daily Lesson Study Pledge
As one who greatly desires to improve his knowledge of the Scriptures, I
pledge myself to the careful and prayerful study of some portion of my
Sabbath school lesson each day of the week.
Name
LESSON TITLES FOR THE QUARTER
r. The Law and the Gospel
2.
The Decalogue
3.
No Other Gods
4.
True Worship
5.
The Holy Name
6.
Creation's Memorial
7.
Parents and Children
8.
The Gift of Life
9.
Pure in Heart and Life
ro. Honesty in All Things
r. Truthful Lips
12.
Holy Contentment
13.
The Supreme Motive
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, No. 261, July-September, 1960. 20 cents a single copy, 75 cents
year (four issues) ; no additional charge to countries requiring extra postage. Published in the
U.S.A. by Pacific Press Publishing Association (a corporation of S.D.A.), 1350 Villa Street,
Mountain View, California. Second-class mail privileges authorized at Mountain View, California.
When a change of address is desired, please be sure to send both old and new addresses.
Copyright, 1960, by Pacific Press Publishing Association
Printed in U.S.A.
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly
STUDIES ON THE LAW OF GOD
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
As presented in these lessons, the expres-
sion "law of God" refers particularly to the
Decalogue, or Ten Commandments. The
Bible writers often use the same expression
when speaking of all the revealed will of
God, including, of course, the Decalogue
itself. Inasmuch as the Decalogue is a part
of God's revealed will, and in fact sums up
all the moral principles of His righteous will,
passages of Scripture that use the expres-
sion "law of God" in its broader sense are
particularly appropriate to the Ten Com-
mandments. The principle of obedience to
God's revealed will is as applicable to the
church today as it was to Israel of old.
As God's commandment-keeping church
in these • last days, Seventh-day Adventists
can well spend thirteen weeks in a study of
the great underlying principles of God's law
and become newly aware of the difference
between the letter of the law and the spirit
of the law.
The law of God "is a transcript of His
own character."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 315. Therefore, in this study we
should see not merely ten do's and don't's,
but the love, mercy, justice, and goodness
of God Himself. May our hearts respond
in love to Him, and may our love be evi-
denced by more faithful obedience, for He
has told us, "If ye love Me, keep My com-
mandments." John 14:15.
Lesson 1, for July 2, 1960
The Law and the Gospel
MEMORY VERSE:
"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the
flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin,
condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled
in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8:3, 4.
STUDY HELPS:
"Patriarchs and Prophets," chapters 2 to 4; "The Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review
and Herald" of June 16.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Questions 1, 2; begin
reading from Study Helps.
Monday: Questions 3-5.
Check Here
Tuesday: Questions 6-9.
Wednesday: Questions 10-14.
Thursday: Read Study Helps.
Friday: Review entire lessen.
[3]
Lesson Outline:
I. An Ordered Universe
1.
Origin and operation of physical
universe. Heb. 11:3, first part;
Isa. 40:26.
2.
Man dependent upon God. Acts
17:28; Deut. 30:19, second part.
II. God's Beneficent Provision
3.
Law points out sin. Ps. 119:104;
Rom. 3:20, last part.
4.
Conscience convicts of sin. John
8:9; 1 John 3:21.
5.
Fate of those who heed not the law
or conscience. Prov. 15:9, first part;
Ps. 37:38.
III. Sin and Redemption
6. Adam's disobedience led to all
men's being sinners. Rom. 5:12 ;
3:23.
7.
Redemption made possible through
Christ. Rom. 3:24-26.
8.
The free gift of righteousness.
Rom. 5:18, 19; 1 John 1:9.
9.
God sent His Son to condemn
sin. Rom. 8:3, 4.
IV. The Righteous Remnant
10.
Faith and obedience characterize
the remnant. Heb. 11:8; Acts 6:7;
Rev. 14:12.
11.
God will judge in righteousness.
Acts 17:31.
12.
Belief or unbelief, basis of justi-
fication or condemnation. John
3:18.
13.
Reward of the righteous. Rom.
6:22.
14.
The law to be written in hearts of
redeemed. Heb. 10:15, 16.
THE LESSON
God's Beneficent Provision
3. What beneficent provision has
God made that man may know the
way of life? Ps. 119:104; Rom. 3:20,
last part.
An Ordered Universe
1. How did the physical universe
originate? What is the secret of its
harmonious operation? Heb. 11:3,
first part; Isa. 40:26.
NOTE.
-"Everything
in nature, from the
mote in the sunbeam to the worlds on high,
is under law. And upon obedience to these
laws the order and harmony of the natural
world
depend."-Thoughts From the Mount
of Blessing,
1956 ed., p. 48.
2. To whom does man owe his life?
Upon what is his well-being depend-
ent? Acts 17:28; Deut. 30:19, second
part.
NOTE.-"There are great principles of
righteousness to control the life of all in-
telligent beings, and upon conformity to
these principles the well-being of the uni-
verse depends."Thoughts
From the Mount
ot Blessing,
page 48.
NoTE.-As used
in
Psalm 119:104 and
Romans 3:20 the words "precepts" and
"law" refer to all the revealed will of God
concerning man, including the Decalogue.
Generally speaking, the same is true of
these terms as used elsewhere in Scripture.
"Without the law, men have no just con-
ception of the purity and holiness of God
or of their own guilt and uncleanness. They
have no true conviction of sin and feel no
need of repentance."-The
Great Contro-
versy,
page 468.
4. By what means does God make
man conscious of his deviation from
the law- of • God? John 8:9; 1 John
3:21.
NOTE.
-"This
daily review of
our•
acts,
to see whether conscience • approyes or. con-
[4
]
There could be no accurate course for man-made
satellites if there were not laws in the universe.
demns, is necessary for all who wish to ar-
rive at the perfection of Christian charac-
ter."—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 512.
5.
What is the inevitable fate of
those who reject God's counsel? Prov.
15:9, first part; Ps. 37:38.
NOTE.—"A
signpost was erected by God
for those journeying through this world.
One arm of this signpost pointed out will-
ing obedience to the Creator as the road to
felicity and life, while the other arm indi-
cated disobedience as the path to misery
and
death."—Prophets and Kings,
page
179.
Sin and Redemption
6.
In earth's earliest days what
tragedy befell the human race, and
how far-reaching have been its conse-
quences? Rom. 5:12; 3:23.
NOTE.—"By venturing to disregard the
will of God upon one point, our first par-
ents opened the floodgates of woe upon the
world. And every individual who follows
their example will reap a similar result."
—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
page 52.
7.
Since the law of God could not
be set aside, to what task did God set
Himself? Rom. 3:24-26.
8.
What gracious provision did
God make whereby the guilt of trans-
gression might be removed? Rom. 5:
18, 19; 1 John 1:9.
NoTE.—"The broken law of God de-
manded the life of the sinner. In all the
universe there was but one who could, in
behalf of man, satisfy its claims. Since the
divine law is as sacred as God Himself,
only one equal with God could make atone-
ment for its transgression. None but Christ
could redeem fallen man from the curse of
the law and bring him again into harmony
with
Heaven."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 63.
9.
What further provision has He
made whereby the pardoned sinner
may be brought into conformity with
the will of God? Rom. 8:3, 4.
NOTE.—"The
conditions of eternal life,
under grace, are just what they were in
Eden—perfect righteousness, harmony with
God, perfect conformity to the principles
of His law. The standard of character pre-
sented in the Old Testament is the same
that is presented in the New Testament.
This standard is not one to which we can-
not attain. In every command or injunc-
tion that God gives there is a promise, the
most positive, underlying the command.
God has made provision that we may be-
come like unto Him, and He will accom-
plish this for all who do not interpose a
perverse will and thus frustrate His grace."
—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
page 76.
The Righteous Remnant
10.
What two essentials have al-
ways characterized the experience of
those who avail themselves of the di-
vine way of escape from condemna-
tion? Heb. 11:8; Acts 6:7; Rev. 14:12.
NoTE.—"In every age, from the midst of
apostasy and rebellion, God gathers out a
people that are true to Him—a people 'in
whose heart is His
law.' "—Patriarchs and
Prophets,
page 338.
6
11.
When all have had the oppor-
tunity of accepting or rejecting God's
gracious offer, what will God do? Acts
17:31.
12.
In what sense do men deter-
mine their own standing in the judg-
ment? John 3:18.
NOTE.—"As those who believe in Christ
are justified by virtue of their faith in
Him, so those who do not believe are
automatically condemned because of their
lack of faith. . . . God has predetermined
that those who believe shall be saved and
that those who do not believe shall be lost,
but He has left it to every man to choose
whether or not to believe. In this sense the
case of every believer and every unbe-
liever, every saint and every sinner, was
settled when the plan of salvation was first
laid, but it was left to every individual to
choose whether he would be a saint or a
sinner. This is Bible predestination. In the
final judgment, sentence will be passed on
men individually, as, long ago, it was
passed on them collectively."—The
Sev-
enth-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
on
John 3:18.
13.
What will be the reward of
those whom God approves? Rom.
6:22.
N o-IT.—"The redeemed will be wel-
comed to the home that Jesus is preparing
for them. There their companions will not
be the vile of earth, liars, idolaters, the im-
pure, and unbelieving; but they will as-
sociate with those who have overcome Sa-
tan and through divine grace have formed
perfect characters. . . . They are without
fault before the great white throne, sharing
the dignity and the privileges of the an-
gels."—Steps to Christ,
1956 and pocket
eds., p. 126.
14.
Under the provision of the new
covenant, what is accomplished for
the believer? Heb. 10:15, 16.
NoTE.—"The law of God is an expression
of His very nature; it is an embodiment of
the great principle of love, and hence is the
foundation of His government in heaven
and earth. If our hearts are renewed in
the likeness of God, if the divine love is
implanted in the soul, will not the law of
God be carried out in the life? When the
principle of love is implanted in the heart,
when man is renewed after the image of
Him that created him, the new-covenant
promise is fulfilled, 'I will put My laws
into their hearts, and in their minds will
I write them' Hebrews 10:16. And if the
law is written in the heart, will it not shape
the life? Obedience—the service and al-
legiance of love—is the true sign of disci-
pleship."—Steps
to Christ,
page 60.
Lesson 2, for July 9, 1960
The Decalogue
MEMORY VERSE:
"He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that
loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father." John 14:21.
STUDY HELPS:
"Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing," pages 45-51 (1943
ed.,
pp.
73-81); "Patriarchs and Prophets," pages 303-314, 331-342; Taylor G. Bunch,
"The Ten Commandments," pages 9-22; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of
June 23.
[6]
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions
4, 5; begin
reading
from
Study
Helps.
0
Tuesday: Questions
6-10.
0
Cheek Here
Wednesday: Questions 11, 12; read
further from Study Helps.
Thursday: Continue reading Study
Helps.
Friday:
Review entire
lesson.
God's Ten Words
1.
What special privilege did God
grant to Israel, and where was it
given? Rom. 3:1, 2; Neh. 9:13, 14.
Nora.-"The law was
not spoken at
this
time exclusively for the benefit of the He-
brews. God honored them by making them
the guardians and keepers of His law, but
it was to be held as a sacred trust for the
whole
world."-Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 305.
2.
In what form did God set forth
the principles of His moral govern-
ment? Deut. 4:12, 13. Read Exodus
20:1-17.
Lesson Outline:
I. God's Ten Words
1.
The oracles committed to Israel.
Rom. 3:1, 2; Neh. 9:13, 14.
2.
Ten brief, comprehensive precepts.
Deut. 4:12, 13.
3.
Written by God Himself. Ex.
24:12; Deut. 5:22.
II. Declared From the Beginning
4.
Abraham kept the law. Gen. 26:5.
5.
Earth's first inhabitants con-
demned for disobedience. Gen.
3:6, 16-19; 4:10-12; 27:18, 19,
41-43; 31:19; 35:2.
III. Still the Standard of Righteousness
6.
Jesus did not abolish law. Matt.
5:17-19.
7.
Keeping of law an evidence of love.
John 14:15; 15:10, 14.
8.
Faith establishes the law. Rom.
3:31.
9.
Believers will keep the whole law.
James 2:8-12.
10.
Possible to keep through God's
indwelling. Phil. 2:13 ; Gal. 2:20.
IV. Keeping the Law in the Last Days
11.
Last-day saints will keep com-
mandments. Rev. 14:12 ; 2 Tim.
3:1-5.
12.
"Blessed are they that do His
commandments." Rev. 22:14.
THE
LESSON
man
to God and to his fellow man; and
all based upon the great fundamental prin-
ciple of
love."-Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 305.
"The first table containing the first, sec-
ond, third, and fourth commandments, and
comprehending the . . . reverence we owe
and the religious service we should render
to Him. The second, containing the six
last commandments, and comprehending a
complete system of
ethics, or moral duties,
which man owes to his fellows. . . . By
this division, the first table contains our
duty
to God; the second, our
duty
to our
neighbor."-Adam Clarke,
Commentary,
note on Exodus 20:1.
3. How did God indicate the unique
character of the Ten Commandment
code? Ex. 24:12; Deut. 5:22.
NoTE.-"Ten precepts, brief, comprehen-
sive, and authoritative, cover the duty of
Nora.-"He [God] did not even then
trust His precepts to the memory of a
people who were prone to forget His re-
[ 7 ]
'
God's character is revealed by His law —
. love, justice, mercy, truth, holiness.
quirements, but wrote them upon tables of
stone. He would remove from Israel all pos-
sibility of mingling heathen traditions with
His holy precepts, or of confounding His
requirements with human ordinances or
customs."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page
364.
Declared From the Beginning
4.
While the law of God was first
set forth as the Decalogue at Sinai,
what evidence have we that the moral
law existed before Sinai? Gen. 26:5.
NoTE.—"God's law is a transcript of His
character. It was given to man in the be-
ginning as the standard of obedience. . . .
At Sinai the law was given a second time."
—Testimonies,
vol. 8, p. 207.
5.
Mention some examples of indi-
viduals being condemned for disobe-
dience to God's law. Gen. 3:6, 16-19;
4:10-12; 27:18, 19, 41-43; 31:19; 35:2.
NoTE.—"From the very beginning of the
great controversy in heaven it has been
Satan's purpose to overthrow the law of
God. It was to accomplish this that he en-
tered upon his rebellion against the Crea-
tor, and though he was cast out of heaven
he has continued the same warfare upon
8
the earth. To deceive men, and thus lead
them to transgress God's law, is the ob-
ject which he has steadfastly pursued."—
The Great Controversy,
page 582.
Still the Standard of Righteousness
6.
What did Jesus say He had no
intention of abrogating? Matt. 5:
17-19.
NOTE.—"While
the Saviour's death
brought to an end the law of types and
shadows, it did not in the least detract
from the obligation of the moral law. On
the contrary, the very fact that it was
necessary for Christ to die in order to atone
for the transgression of that law, proves
it to be
immutable."—Patriarchs and Proph-
ets,
page 365.
7.
Of what is commandment keep-
ing an evidence? John 14:15; 15:
10, 14.
NoTE.—"There are only two classes in the
world today, and only two classes will be
recognized in the judgment—those who
violate God's law and those who obey it.
Christ gives the test by which to prove
our loyalty or disloyalty. 'If ye love Me,'
He says, 'keep My commandments.'
"—
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 283.
"If we abide in Christ, if the love of
God dwells in the heart, our feelings, our
thoughts, our actions, will be in harmony
with the will of God. The sanctified heart
is in harmony with the precepts of God's
law."—The Acts of the Apostles,
page 563.
"The commandments of Jesus were also
the commandments of the Father, for Je-
sus spake not of Himself (chs. 12:49; 14:
10). He endorsed the moral commands
given to ancient Israel . . . and magnified
them. . . . He gave commands of His own,
such as the new commandment (John 13:
34), not to replace any of the moral pre-
cepts, which reflected the character of the
unchangeable God, but to set forth their
true meaning and to show how their
principles should be applied to various life
situations."—The
Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary,
on John 14:15.
8.
What testimony did Paul bear
concerning the place of the law in the
life of faith and grace? Rom. 3:31.
NoTE.—In the Greek the word
law
in
this text is not preceded by the article
the,
which may indicate that Paul was refer-
ring to the principle of law in general as
well as to the written law. See
The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary
on this
text and on Romans 2:12.
"It is true that Paul 'made void' the Jew-
ish idea of law as a means of attaining
righteousness and the Jewish insistence that
the Gentiles must follow the same method
(Acts 15:1; Gal. 2:16-19). But law in its
true function is confirmed, rather than
abrogated, by God's appointed method of
justifying sinners."—The
Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary,
on Rom. 3:31.
9.
How complete will be the be-
liever's conformity to the law of God?
James 2:8-12.
10.
How is such conformity with
the law of God made possible in the
life of the forgiven sinner? Phil. 2:
13; Gal. 2:20.
NOTE.—"It is the work of conversion
and sanctification to reconcile men to God
by bringing them into accord with the
principles of His
law."—The Great Con-
troversy,
page 467.
Keeping the Law in the Last Days
11.
What will be the attitude of the
children of God in contrast to the law-
lessness of the world in the last days?
Rev. 14:12; 2 Tim. 3:1-5.
NOTE.-"With
the setting aside of the
Bible has come a turning away from God's
law. The doctrine that men are released
from obedience to the divine precepts, has
weakened the force of moral obligation and
opened the floodgates of iniquity upon the
world. Lawlessness, dissipation, and cor-
ruption are sweeping in like an overwhelm-
ing flood. Everywhere are seen envy, evil
surmising, hypocrisy, estrangement, emu-
lation, strife, betrayal of sacred trusts, in-
dulgence of
lust."—Prophets and Kings,
page 624.
"We are nearing the end of this earth's
history, and God calls upon all to lift the
standard bearing the inscription, 'Here are
they that keep the commandments of God,
and the faith of
Jesus,'"—Testimonies,
vol. 6, p. 292.
12.
What will be the reward of
those who, by grace, remain loyal to
God and to His law? Rev. 22:14.
NOTE.—Some of the ancient manuscripts
translate this text, "that wash their robes,"
and others, "that keep His commandments."
"In actual fact both readings suit the
context and are in harmony with John's
teaching elsewhere. . . . Our title to heaven
is the righteousness of Christ imputed: our
fitness for heaven, the righteousness of
Christ imparted, represented by the washed
robes. The outward evidence of the right-
eousness of Christ imparted is perfect com-
pliance with the commandments of God.
Hence the two ideas of washed robes and
obedience to commandments are closely
related."—The
Seventh-day Adventist Bi-
ble Commentary,
on Rev. 22:14.
"Those principles that were made known
to man in Paradise as the great law of life,
will exist unchanged in Paradise restored.
When Eden shall bloom on earth again,
God's law of love will be obeyed by all be-
neath the
sun."—Thoughts From the
Mount of Blessing,
1956 ed., pp. 50, 51.
Tape-recorded mission appeals for the Thirteenth Sabbath
projects are available for offering promotion in the Sab-
bath school. Order through your Book and Bible House.
[ 9 I
Lesson 3, for July 16,
1960
No Other Gods
MEMORY VERSE: "0
come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the
Lord our Maker." Ps. 95:6.
STUDY HELPS:
Taylor G. Bunch, "The Ten Commandments," pages 23-34; "The
Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson
Help in "Review and Herald" of June 30.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
reading from Study Helps.
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
Wednesday: Questions 10-12.
Monday: Questions 4-7.
Thursday: Read Study Helps.
Tuesday: Questions
8, 9; begin
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I. God the True Object of Worship
1.
God alone entitled to worship.
Ex. 20:1-3 ; Isa. 42:8; Ex. 23:13.
2.
Because of what He is. Ps. 99:5 ;
1 Tim. 1:17; Ps. 95:6; 107:8; Ex.
20:2; Col. 1:13.
3.
Requires undivided affection.
Deut. 6:5 ; Matt. 22:37, 38.
II. From Creator Worship to Creature
Worship
4.
Man turns to creature worship.
Rom. 1:21, 22, 25.
5.
Sun, moon, birds, beasts, etc.,
worshiped. Deut. 4:15, 19; Rom.
1:23; Col. 2:18.
6. Money and appetite also may be
worshiped. 1 Tim. 6:10; Phil. 3:19.
7. Intellectualism worshiped by some.
Col. 2:8.
III. False Gods Degrade and Ruin
8. "By beholding we become
changed." Rom. 1:28-32.
9. They shall perish from the earth.
Jer. 10:11, 15; Rev. 22:15.
IV. God's Last Appeal
10. Men will be spiritually seduced.
2 Tim. 3:4, last part; 2 Peter 3:3;
1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 13:4, 15.
11. Call to worship true God. Rev.
14:6, 7.
12. Flee idolatry. 1 Cor. 10:14;
1 John 5:21.
THE LESSON
God the True Object of Worship
1. In the first commandment what
affirmation does God make, and what
is His legitimate demand?
Ex. 20:1-3;
Isa. 42:8; Ex. 23:13.
preme reverence and worship. Man is for-
bidden to give to any other object the
first place in his affections or his service."
-Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 305.
2.
On what grounds does God
claim man's exclusive allegiance and
worship?
NorE.-"Jehovah, the eternal, self-exist-
ent, untreated One, Himself the Source and
ANSWER:
a. For what He is. Ps.
99:5 ;
Sustainer
of all,
is alone entitled to su-
1 Tim.
1:17.
101
The greatest idol—money — turns
millions from God.
b.
For what He has done as Creator, Ps.
95:6; as Provider, Ps. 107:8; as Deliverer,
Ex. 20:2;. Col. 1:13.
NorE.—"The seal of God's law is found
in the fourth commandment. This only, of
all the ten, brings to view both the name
and the title of the Lawgiver. It declares
Him to be the Creator of the heavens and
the earth, and thus shows His claim to
reverence and worship above all others."—
The Great Controversy,
page 452.
3.
What kind of worship does God
expect from His creatures? Deut. 6:
5; Matt. 22:37, 38.
Norz.—"There is allowed no separation
of our affections from God. Nothing is to
divide our supreme love for Him or our
delight in
Him."—Testimonies, vol.
1, p.
436.
From Creator Worship to
Creature Worship
4.
By what steps did man depart
from the true worship of God? To
what new objects did he begin to give
reverence? Rom. 1:21, 22, 25.
NoTE.—" 'Glorified him not.' The un-
willingness to honor God as the divine
Creator was the real source of the darkened
minds and abominable practices of the
Gentiles. To glorify God means to rever-
ence, love, and obey Him.
" 'Neither were thankful.' Unwilling-
ness to give thanks to God for His love and
goodness toward men is one of the causes
of corruption and idolatry. Ingratitude
hardens the heart and leads men to forget
the Being to whom they are unwilling to
express thankfulness."—The
Seventh-day
Adventist Bible Commentary,
on Rom.
1:21.
5.
What forms of creature worship
became prominent in ancient times?
Deut. 4:15, 19; Rom. 1:23; Col. 2:18.
NOTE.—"The sun and moon were objects
of worship to the
Egyptians."—Patriarchs
and Prophets,
page 272.
"In ancient Egypt everything that had
life, great and small, beautiful or disgust-
ing, was idealized and deified, from the
mighty monarch to the crawling beetle,
from the bull to the onion."—W. Senior,
God's Ten Words,
page 29.
6.
What other things have men
made into gods and worshiped? 1
Tim. 6:10; Phil. 3:19.
NorE.—"Whatever we cherish that tends
to lessen our love for God or to interfere
with the service due Him, of that do we
make
a god."---Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 305.
7.
What mental conceptions have
been set up as gods and worshiped?
Col. 2:8.
Nora.—"It is as easy to make an idol of
false doctrines and theories as to fashion an
idol of wood or stone. By misrepresenting
the attributes of God, Satan leads men to
conceive of Him in a false character. With
many, a philosophical idol is enthroned in
the place of Jehovah; while the living
God, as He is revealed in His word, in
Christ, and in the works of creation, is
worshiped by but few."—The Great
Con-
troversy,
page 583.
False Gods Degrade and Ruin
8.
Why is the worship of false gods
not merely foolish but degrading?
Rom. 1:28-32.
NOTE.-"It is a law of the human mind
that by beholding we become changed.
Man will rise no higher than his concep-
tions of truth, purity, and holiness. If the
mind is never exalted above the level of
humanity, if it is not uplifted by faith to
contemplate infinite wisdom and love, the
man will be constantly sinking lower and
lower. The worshipers of false gods
clothed their deities with human attributes
and passions, and thus their standard of
character was degraded to the likeness of
sinful humanity."—Patriarchs
and Proph-
ets,
page 91.
9.
What will be the fate of all false
gods and of those who persist in wor-
shiping them? Jer. 10:11, 15; Rev.
22:15.
God's Last Appeal
10.
In what forms will false wor-
ship culminate in the last days? 2 Tim.
3:4, last part; 2 Peter 3:3; 1 Tim. 4:1;
Rev. 13:4, 15.
NoTE.—"The present age is one of idola-
try, as verily as was that in which Elijah
lived. No outward shrine may be visible;
there may be no image for the eye to rest
upon; yet thousands are following after
the gods of this world—after riches, fame,
pleasure, and the pleasing fables that per-
mit man to follow the inclinations of the
unregenerate
heart."—Prophets and Kings,
page 177.
11.
How is God seeking to recall
man to the worship of Himself? Rev.
14:6, 7.
NOTE.—"In the last days of this earth's
history the voice that spoke from Sinai is
still declaring, 'Thou shalt have no other
gods before Me.' Exodus 20:3. Man has
set his will against the will of God, but he
cannot silence the word of command. The
human mind cannot evade its obligation to
a higher power. Theories and speculations
may abound; men may try to set science
in opposition to revelation, and thus do
away with God's law; but stronger and
still stronger comes the command,
'Thou
shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him
only shalt thou serve."—Prophets and
Kings,
pages 624, 625.
12.
What, therefore, are we urged
to do if we would partake of the joys
of the eternal kingdom? 1 Cor. 10:14;
1 John 5:21.
NOTE.—"Whatever divides the affections,
and takes away from the soul supreme love
to God, assumes the form of an idol. Our
carnal hearts would cling to our idols and
seek to carry them along; but we cannot
advance until we put them away, for they
separate us from God. The great Head of
the church has chosen His people out of the
world and requires them to be separate.
He designs that the spirit of His command-
ments shall draw them to Himself and
separate them from the elements of the
world."—Testimonies, vol. 1,
p. 289.
Lesson 4, for July 23, 1960
True Worship
MEMORY VERSE:
"And let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among
them." Ex. 25:8.
STUDY HELPS:
"Early Writings," pages 210-213; Taylor G. Bunch, "The Ten Com-
mandments," pages 35-63; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,"
on Scripture
refProncos;
Lesson Help in "Review and
.
Herald" of July .7.
[ 12 ]:
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions 4, 5; begin
reading from Study Helps.
Tuesday: Questions 6-9.
Wednesday: Questions 10-12.
Thursday: Read Study Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Check Here
0
Lesson Outline:
I. The Spirit of Devotion
1.
God to be worshiped in spirit and
truth. John 4:24.
2.
Israel given pattern of worship.
Ex. 25:8, 9.
3.
Jesus revealed the Father.
John
14:8-11; Heb. 1:1-3.
II. Images a Snare
4.
Man forbidden to worship images.
Ex. 20:4, 5 ; Deut. 4:15-19.
5.
Images result in idol worship.
Isa. 44:9, 14, 16, 17.
III. Ancient and Modern Image Worship
6.
Idols cannot save. Isa. 44:10, 18-20;
45:20; 46:7.
7.
Similarities between ancient and
modern image worship. Hosea
13:1-3 ; 1 Kings 19:18; Ezek. 16:
17-20; 8:10, 11.
8.
Rome's change of commandments
to conceal violation.
9.
Idols may be in heart. Ezek. 14:3.
IV. A "Jealous" God
10.
God's displeasure called jealousy.
Ex. 20:5.
11.
Those refusing to abandon idols
will be cut off. Hosea 8:4.
12.
God shows mercy to those who
worship Him. Ex. 20:6.
THE LESSON
NoTE.-"The whole worship of ancient
Israel was a promise, in figures and sym-
bols, of Christ; and it was not merely a
promise, but an actual provision, designed
by God to aid millions of people by lifting
their thoughts to Him who was to mani-
fest Himself to our
world."-Testimonies
to Ministers,
page 123.
3. How has Jesus made God real
to us? John 14:8-11; Heb. 1:1-3.
The Spirit of Devotion
1.
How is God described, and how
only may He be worshiped? John
4:24.
Non.-"Not by seeking a holy moun-
tain or a sacred temple are men brought
into communion with heaven. Religion is
not to be confined to external forms and
ceremonies. The religion that comes from
God is the only religion that will lead to
God. In order to serve Him aright, we
must be born of the divine Spirit. This
will purify the heart and renew the mind,
giving us a new capacity for knowing and
loving God. It will give us a willing obedi-
ence to all His requirements. This is true
worship."-The
Desire of Ages,
page 189.
2.
What legitimate aids were af-
forded to ancient Israel to assist their
worship of the invisible God? Ex.
25:8, 9.
NoTE.-"Christ declares Himself to be
sent into the world as a representative of
the Father. In His nobility of character, in
His mercy and tender pity, in His love and
goodness, He stands before us as the em-
bodiment of divine perfection, the image of
the invisible
God."-Testimonies, vol. 5,
p.
739.
Images a Snare
4. In worship what was man ex-
pressly forbidden to use? Ex. 20:4, 5;
Deut. 4:15-19.
[131
NKAN
We may look askance at those kneel ng at
shrines; but is God actually In our thoughts?
NOTE,—"Ill what does it (the second
commandment) differ from the first? The
first forbade the worship of any false god
with or without an image, sun, moon, stars,
Baal, or Ashtoreth. The second forbids
even the worship of Jehovah Himself un-
der any symbolic form whatever."—W.
Senior,
God's Ten Words,
page 48.
"The second commandment forbids the
worship of the true God by images or
similitudes. Many heathen nations claimed
that their images were mere figures or sym-
bols by which the Deity was worshiped, but
God has declared such worship to be sin.
The attempt to represent the Eternal One
by material objects would lower man's
conception of God. The mind, turned away
from the infinite perfection of Jehovah,
would be attracted to the creature rather
than the Creator. And as his conceptions
of God were lowered, so would man be-
come degraded."—Patriarchs
and Prophets,
page 306.
5.
In what perversion of worship
do images ultimately result? Isa. 44:
9, 14, 16, 17.
NoTE.—"It may have seemed strange to
many of us, that among the Ten Com-
mandments which were to set forth in the
shortest possible form the highest, the most
essential duties of man, the second place
should be assigned to a prohibition of any
kind of images. . . Let those who wish
to understand the hidden wisdom of these
words study the history of ancient reli-
gions. Let them read the descriptions of
religious festivals in Africa, in America, and
Australia. . . . History is sometimes a
stronger and sterner teacher than argu-
ment, and one of the lessons which the
history of religions certainly teaches is this,
that the curse pronounced against those
who would change the invisible into the
visible, the spiritual into the material, the
divine into the human, the infinite into the
finite, has come true in every nation on
earth."—Max Muller, quoted by W. Senior
in
God's Ten Words,
pages 59, 60.
Ancient and Modern Image
Worship
6.
How utterly foolish and profit-
less is the worship of graven images?
Isa. 44:10, 18-20; 45:20; 46:7.
7.
What features that may be wit-
nessed in modern image worship char-
acterized that of apostate Israel? Ho-
sea 13:1-3; 1 Kings 19:18; Ezek. 16:
17-20; 8:10, 11.
NOTE.—"The
worship of images and rel-
ics, the invocation of saints, and the exal-
tation of the pope are devices of Satan to
attract the minds of the people from God
and from His Son. To accomplish their
ruin, he endeavors to turn their attention
from Him through whom alone they can
find salvation. He will direct them to any
object that can be substituted for the One
Who has said, 'Come unto
Me.'"—The
Great Controversy,
page 568.
8.
How has Rome endeavored to
conceal her violation of the second
commandment?
ANSWER:
By substituting as far as pos-
sible the reading of catechisms for the read-
ing of the Bible. In these catechisms the
Decalogue is so markedly abridged as to
amount to a change. In Butler's
Catechism
the first commandment is thus given: "I am
the Lord, thy God; thou shalt not have
strange gods before Me." The second is
given: "Thou shalt not take the name of
the Lord thy God in vain." Assuming that
what we call the second commandment is
[ 14 ]
a part of the first, they omit all reference
to graven images as presented in Exodus
20:4. In order to present ten command-
ments, the catechism makes two command-
ments of the tenth as we understand it.
Their ninth commandment reads: 'Thou
shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife." Their
tenth reads: "Thou shalt not covet thy
neighbor's goods." In this way the com-
mand against the making of, or bowing
down to, graven images is hidden from
view.
NOTE.—"There are twenty-nine cate-
chisms in use in Rome and Italy, France,
Belgium, Austria, Bavaria, Silesia, Poland,
Ireland, England, Spain, and Portugal, in
twenty-seven of which the second com-
mandment is totally omitted; in two, mu-
tilated."—Dr. McCaul, quoted by
R.
H.
Charles in
The Decalogue,
page 74.
9. Is idolatry necessarily limited to
the worship of images of wood, metal,
or stone? Ezek. 14:3.
NoTz.—A false philosophy to which a
man gives his acquiescence, and in which he
trusts rather than in God, may become to
him an idol. Science, evolution, education,
reason, progress, civilization, humanism, all
forms of state worship and secular ideal-
isms, are some of the "idols" to which
modern man is giving his allegiance today
rather than to God.
A "Jealous" God
10.
How does God feel toward idol
worship, ancient or modern? Ex. 20:
5. See also Deut. 32:16, 21.
NOTE.—"The close and sacred relation of
God to His people is represented under the
figure of marriage. Idolatry being spiritual
adultery, the displeasure of God against it
is fitly called
jealousy."—Patriarchs and
Prophets,
page 306.
11.
What will be the ultimate fate
of those who fail to abandon their
idols? Hosea 8:4.
12.
How will God regard those
who love and obey Him? Ex. 20:6.
NOTE.—"
'Showing mercy unto thousands
of them that love Me, and keep My com-
mandments.' In prohibiting the worship of
false gods, the second commandment by
implication enjoins the worship of the true
God. And to those who are faithful in His
service, mercy is promised, not merely to
the third and fourth generation as is the
wrath threatened against those who hate
Him, but to
thousands
of generations."—
Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 306.
Lesson 5, for July 30, 1960
The Holy Name
MEMORY VERSE:
"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; worship the
Lord in the beauty of holiness." Ps. 29:2.
STUDY HELPS:
"Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing," 1956
ed., pp. 66
-
69, 106,
107 (1943 ed., pp. 102-106, 157, 158); Taylor G. Bunch, "The Ten Command-
ments," pages 64-76; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on
Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of July 14.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions 4-7.
Tuesday: Questions 8-10.
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions
11,
12;
begin reading Study Helps.
Thursday: Read Study Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I. God's Name to be Honored
1.
"Holy and reverend is His name."
Ps. 111:9, last part; 29:2.
2.
"Hallowed be Thy name." Matt.
6:9.
3.
The Lord's name never to be used
in vain. Ex. 20:7; Lev. 19:12, last
part.
II. The Name of the Lord Profaned
4.
Israel dishonored God before
heathen. Ezek. 36:20, 23.
5.
Misrepresentation of God by
Christians causes His name to be
blasphemed. 2 Sam. 12:14 ; Rom.
2:23, 24.
6.
God's name profaned by hypocrites.
Luke 6:46; Matt. 15:7, 8.
7. Even though hypocrites call upon
His name, the Lord will not
recognize them. Matt. 7:21-23.
III. Invoking God's Name
8. Judicial oath not forbidden. Deut.
6:13; Dan. 12:7; Matt. 26:63, 64;
Rev. 10:5, 6.
9. Common swearing forbidden.
Matt. 5:34-37.
10. Blasphemy and foolish talking to
be put away. Col. 3:8; Eph. 5:4.
IV. Attitude Toward God's Name in
Last Days
11. Blasphemies will be common.
Rev. 13:1, 5, 6; 2 Tim. 3:2-5.
12. Some will fear the name of the
Lord and be rewarded. Mal. 3:16;
4:2; Rev. 11:18.
THE LESSON
God's Name to Be Honored
1.
What do the Scriptures say of the
name of God? Ps. 111:9, last part;
29:2.
NorE.-"The Scripture declares of God,
'Holy and reverend is His name.' Ps. 111:
9. To what human being is such a title
[reverend] befitting? How little does man
reveal of the wisdom and righteousness it
indicates How many of those who assume
this title are misrepresenting the name and
character of God! Alas, how often have
worldly ambition, despotism, and the bas-
est sins, been hidden under the broidered
garments of a high and holy office
!"-The
Desire of Ages,
page 613.
2.
How, then, should the name of
God be regarded by man? Matt. 6:9.
NoTE.-"Holy angels have been dis-
pleased and disgusted with the irreverent
manner in which many have used the name
of God, the great Jehovah. Angels men-
tion that sacred name with the greatest
awe, ever veiling their faces when they
speak the name of God; and the name of
Christ is so sacred to them that they speak
it with the greatest reverence."-Testi-
monies, vol.
1, p. 410.
"To hallow the name of the Lord re-
quires that the words in which we speak
of the Supreme Being be uttered with
reverence."-Thoughts From the Mount of
Blessing,
1956 ed., p. 106.
"Never should that name be spoken
lightly or thoughtlessly. Even in prayer its
frequent or needless repetition should be
avoided."-Education,
page 243.
3.
Of what should man never be
guilty? Ex. 20:7; Lev. 19:12, last part.
16 ]
We wont labels to tell the truth-.
about goods and persons.
NOTE.—"This commandment not only
prohibits false oaths and common swear-
ing, but it forbids us to use the name of
God in a light or careless manner, without
regard to its awful significance. By the
thoughtless mention of God in common
conversation, by appeals to Him in trivial
matters, and by the frequent and thought-
less repetition of His name, we dishonor
Him."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
pages 306;
307.
The Name of the Lord. Profaned
4.
How did God's people of old
profane the name of the Lord among
the heathen? Ezek. 36:20, 23. See also
Lev. 18:21.
NoTE.—"God had pleaded with Judah
not to provoke Him to anger, but they
had hearkened not. Finally sentence was
pronounced against them. They were to
be
led away captive to Babylon. The
Chaldeans were to be used as the instru-
ment by which God would chastise His
disobedient people. The sufferings of the
men of Judah were to be in proportion to
the light they had had and to the warnings
they had despised and rejected. Long had
God delayed His judgments, but now He
would visit His displeasure upon them as
a
last effort to check them in their evil
course."—Prophets and Kings,
page 425.
5.
What terrible guilt is incurred
by the misrepresentation
.
of God by
His people? 2 Sam. 12:14; Rom. 2:
23, 24.
NorE.—"When you pray, 'Hallowed be
Thy name,' you ask that it may be hal-
lowed in this world, hallowed in you. God
has acknowledged you before men and an-
gels as His child; pray that you may do no
dishonor to the 'worthy name by which ye
are called.' James 2:7. God sends you
into the world as His representative. In
every act of life you are to make manifest
the name of God. This petition calls upon
you to possess His character. You cannot
hallow His name, you cannot represent
Him to the world, unless in life and charac-
ter you represent the very life and charac-
ter of God. This you can do only through
the acceptance of the grace and righteous-
ness of
Christ."—Thoughts From the
Mount of Blessing,
page 107.
6.
In what other way may profess-
ing believers profane the name of
God? Luke 6:46; Matt. 15:7, 8.
NOTE.—"Open apostasy would not be
more offensive to God than hypocrisy and
mere formal
worship."—Patriarchs and
Prophets,
page 523.
"Men may deny Christ by evilspeaking,
by foolish talking, by words that are un-
truthful or unkind. They may deny Him
by shunning life's burdens, by the pursuit
of sinful pleasure. They may deny Him by
conforming to the world, by uncourteous
behavior, by the love of their own opinions,
by justifying self, by cherishing doubt, bor-
rowing trouble, and dwelling in darkness.
In all these ways they declare that Christ
is not in them. And 'whosoever shall deny
Me before men,' He says, 'him will I also
deny before My Father which is in heaven.' "
—The Desire of Ages,
page 357.
7.
How will God regard
hypo-
crites?
Matt. 7:21-23.
[.1.7
NoTE.—"Ten thousand times ten thou-
sand may profess to obey the law and the
gospel, and yet be living in transgression.
Men may present in a clear manner the
claims of truth upon others, and yet their
own hearts be carnal. Sin may be loved
and practiced in secret. The truth of God
may be no truth to them, because their
hearts have not been sanctified by it. The
love of the Saviour may exercise no con-
straining power over their base passions.
We know by the history of the past that
men may stand in sacred positions and yet
handle the truth of God deceitfully."—Tes-
timonies, vol. 5, p. 536.
Invoking God's Name
8.
In what legitimate way may the
name of God be invoked? Deut. 6:13;
Dan. 12:7; Matt. 26:63, 64; Rev. 10:
5; 6.
NoTE.—"Our Saviour did not . . . forbid
the use of the judicial oath, in which God
is solemnly called to witness that what is
said is truth and nothing but the truth.
Jesus Himself, at His trial before the San-
hedrin, did not refuse to testify under oath.
The high priest said unto Him, 'I adjure
Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us
whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of
God.' Jesus answered, 'Thou hast said.'
Matt. 26:63, 64. Had Christ in the Sermon
on the•Mount condemned the judicial oath,
He would at His trial have reproved the
high priest and thus, for the benefit of His
followers, have enforced His own teaching."
—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
pages 66, 67.
"If there is anyone who can consistently
testify under oath, it is the Christian. . . .
When required to do so in a lawful man-
ner, it is right for him to appeal to God as
a witness that what he says is the truth, and
nothing but the truth."—Ibid., p. 67.
9.
What proper reticence, however,
should we exercise even in this solemn
act? Matt. 5:34-37.
NoTE.—"These words [verse 37] con-
demn all those meaningless phrases and ex-
pletives that border on profanity."—
Thoughts
From the Mount of Blessing,
page 68.
"Some exaggerate in their language. Some
swear by their own life; others swear by
their head—as sure as they live; as sure as
they have a head. Some take heaven and
earth to witness that such things are so.
Some hope that God will strike them out
of existence if what they are saying is not
true. It is this kind of common swearing
against which Jesus warns His disciples."
—Testimonies, vol.
1, p. 201.
10.
What does Paul urge all be-
lievers to put away? Col. 3:8; Eph.
5:4.
NoTE.—"In our mingling in society, in
families, or in whatever relations of life we
are placed, either limited or extended, there
are many ways wherein we may acknowl-
edge our Lord and many ways wherein we
may deny Him. We may deny Him in our
words, by speaking evil of others, by fool-
ish talking, jesting and joking, by idle or
unkind words, or by prevaricating, speak-
ing contrary to truth. In our words we
may confess that Christ is not in us."—
Testimonies,
vol. 3, pp. 331, 332.
Attitude Toward God's Name
in Last Days
11.
How widespread will be the
profanation of God's name in the lat-
ter days? Rev. 13:1, 5, 6; 2 Tim. 3:2-5.
12.
What special regard will God
have for those who in the last days
revere His name? How will they be
rewarded? Mal. 3:16; 4:2; Rev. 11:18.
NoTE.—"God will remember those who
have met together and thought upon His
name, and He will spare them from the
great conflagration. They will be as pre-
cious jewels in His sight, but His wrath will
fall on the shelterless head of the sinner."—
Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 107.
[ 18 ]
Lesson 6, for August 6, 1960
Creation's Memorial
MEMORY VERSE:
"And He said unto them, The Sabbath was
made for man, and
not man for the Sabbath: therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sab-
bath." Mark 2:27, 28.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Desire of Ages," pages 281-289; Taylor G. Bunch, "The Ten
Commandments," pages 77-90; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commen-
tary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of July 21.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
0
0
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions
12-14;
read
from Study Helps.
Thursday: Finish reading Study Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
,
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Questions 1-4.
Monday: Questions 5-8.
Tuesday: Questions 9-11; begin
reading from Study Helps.
Lesson Outline:
1.
Remembering the Creator
1.
Worship recognizes creative power...
Jer. 10:10-12 ; Ps. 96:5.
2.
Sabbath set aside for worship.
Ex. 20:8-11.
3.
Bounds of Sabbath defined. Mark
1:21, 32; Luke 4:31, 40.
4.
Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath. Mark
2:28.
II. Universality and Perpetuity of the
Sabbath
5.
Sabbath made for man. Mark 2:27.
6.
No labor to be required of man or
beast. Ex. 20:10, last part; 23:12 ;
Isa. 56:6, 7.
7.
Sabbath instituted at creation. Gen.
2:1-3; Ex. 16:23-26.
.
8.
Sabbath observed after resurrec-
tion. Matt. 24:20.
III. A Sign of Allegiance
9.
A sign between God and His peo-
ple. Ex. 31:13 ; Ezek. 20:12, 20.
10.
Secular labor forbidden. Ex. 31:
14, 15.
11.
Day of rest and worship. Lev.
23:3, first part; Luke 4:16.
12.
Lawful to do well. Matt. 12:10-12.
13.
Blessings promised those who ob-
serve Sabbath. Isa. 58:13, 14.
14.
Sabbath will be observed in new
earth. Isa. 66:23.
THE LESSON
Remembering the Creator
1. What fundamental difference be-
tween the power of the true God and
false gods should be recognized in
worship? Jer. 10:10-12; Ps.
96:5.
Noxt.-"The duty
to worship God is
based upon the fact that He is the Creator
and that to Him all other beings owe their
existence. And wherever, in the Bible, His
claim to reverence and worship, above the
gods of the heathen, is presented, there is
cited the evidence of His creative power.
. . . 'This great fact can never become ob-
solete, and must never be forgotten.'
"-The
Great Controversy,
pages 436-438.
2. What period of time was par-
ticularly set apart for the worship of
the Creator, and why? Ex. 20:8-11
See also Gen..
2:1-3
,
.
(19
7
How better can we show our allegiance to God than by
giving Him one seventh of the hours of our life?
NcrrE.—"The Sabbath, as a memorial of
God's creative power, points to Him as the
Maker of the heavens and the earth. Hence
it is a constant witness to His existence and
a reminder of His greatness, His wisdom,
and
HIS
love. Had the Sabbath always been
sacredly observed, there could never have
been an atheist or an idolater."—Patriarchs
and Prophets,
page 336.
3.
How specifically are the bounds
of the Sabbath defined? Mark 1:21,
32; Luke 4:31, 40. Compare Lev. 23:
32, last part; Neh. 13:19.
NoTE.—"All through the week we are to
have the Sabbath in mind and be making
preparation to keep it according to the
commandment."—Testimonies,
vol. 6, p.
353.
"When the Sabbath commences, we should
place a guard upon ourselves, upon our
acts and our words, lest we rob -God by
appropriating to our own use that time
which is strictly the
Lord's."—Testimonies,
vol.
2, p. 702.
4.
In view of His participation in
the work of creation, what claim was
Jesus also justified in making? Mark
2:28.
NoTE.—"It belongs to Christ. For 'all
things were made by Him; and without
Him was not anything made that was made'
John 1:3. Since He made all things, He
made the Sabbath. By Him it was set
apart as a memorial of the work of crea-
tion. It points to Him as both the Creator
and the Sanctifier."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 288.
Universality and Perpetuity
of the Sabbath
5.
For whom was the Sabbath
made? Mark 2:27.
NoTE.—"In Eden, God set up the memo-
rial of His work of creation, in placing His
blessing upon the seventh day. The Sab-
bath was committed to Adam, the father
and representative of the whole human
family. Its observance was to be an act of
grateful acknowledgment, on the part of
all who should dwell upon the earth, that
God was their Creator and their rightful
Sovereign; that they were the work of His
hands and the subjects of His authority."
—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 48.
" 'The Lord made.' It is significant that
Christ Himself, as Creator (John 1:1-3),
rested upon the world's first Sabbath day.
. . . Those who are re-created in His like-
ness (Eph. 4:24) will choose to follow His
example in this as in other matters (1 Pe-
ter 2:21). . . . The Sabbath was made for
man (Mark 2:27), to satisfy a need that
was originally spiritual, but which, with
the entrance of sin, became physical as well
(see Gen. 3
:17-19)."—The Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary,
on Ex. 20:11.
6.
'How was the universality of the
Sabbath emphasized? Ex. 20:10, last
part; 23:12; Isa. 56:6, 7.
7.
How do we know that the Sab-
bath antedated Sinai? Gen. 2:1-3; Ex.
16:23-26.
NorE.—"God's sanctifying the day is
equivalent to His commanding men to sanc-
tify it. As at the close of the creation the
seventh day was thus set apart by the Most
High for such purposes, without limitation
to age or country, the observance of it is
[ 20
obligatory upon the whole human race.
. . . The sanctification of the seventh day
in the present case, can only be understood
of its being set apart to the special worship
and service of God."—G. Bush,
Notes on
Genesis, vol. 1,
pp. 47-49.
"The Sabbath is not introduced as a new
institution but as having been founded at
creation. It is to be remembered and ob-
served as the memorial of the Creator's
work."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 307.
8.
What convincing evidence have
we that the Sabbath would continue
to be obligatory in the Christian Era?
Matt. 24:20.
NOTE.—" 'Sabbath day.' Forty years
after the resurrection the Sabbath would be
as sacred as it was when Jesus spoke these
words on the slopes of Olivet. He intimates
no change in the sacredness of the day such
as many Christians now suppose took place
when He came forth from the tomb. The
commotion, excitement, fear, arid travel
incident to flight from Jerusalem would be
inappropriate on the Sabbath day. Chris-
tians were to pray that, they might be able
to keep the Sabbath as a day of rest, as
God intended it should be kept. Christ did
not abolish the Sabbath when He was
nailed to the cross. It has lost none of the
sacredness God originally imparted to it."
—The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-
mentary,
on Matt. 24:20.
A Sign of Allegiance
9.
Of what was the Sabbath de-
clared to be a sign? Ex. 31:13; Ezek.
20:12, 20.
NOTE.—"Pointing to God as the Maker
of the heavens and the earth, it distinguishes
the true God from all false gods. All who
keep the seventh day, signify by this act
that they are worshipers of Jehovah. Thus
the Sabbath is the sign of man's allegiance
to God as long as there are any upon the
earth to serve
Him."—Patriarchs and Proph-
ets,
page 307.
10.
What is forbidden on the Sab-
bath day, and why? Ex. 31:14, 15.
NotE.—"The law forbids secular labor on
the rest day of the Lord; the toil that
gains a livelihood must cease; no labor for
worldly pleasure or profit is lawful upon
that day; but as God ceased His labor of
creating, and rested upon the Sabbath and
blessed it, so man is to leave the occupa-
tions of his daily life, and devote those
sacred hours to- healthful rest, to worship,
and to holy deeds."—The-
Desire of Ages,
page 207.
"Those who discuss business matters or
lay plans on the Sabbath are regarded by
God as though engaged in the actual trans-
action of business. To keep the Sabbath
holy, we should not even allow our minds
to dwell upon things of a worldly charac-
ter."—Patriarchs
and Prophets,
page 307.
11.
How is the time of the Sabbath
to be used? Lev. 23:3, first part; Luke
4:16.
12.
What works are commendable
on the Sabbath day? Matt. 12:10-12.
NoTE.—"Nature must continue her- un-
varying course. God could not for a mo-
ment stay His hand, or man would faint
and die. And man also has a work to per-
form on this day. The necessities of life
must be attended to, the sick must be cared
for, the wants of the needy must be sup-
plied. He will not be held guiltless who
neglects to relieve suffering on the Sabbath.
God's holy rest day was made for man, and
acts of mercy are in perfect harmony with
its intent. God does not desire His crea-
tures to suffer an hour's pain that may be
relieved upon the Sabbath or any other
day."—The Desire of Ages,
page 207.
13.
What is promised to those who
rightly observe the Sabbath? Isa. 58:
13, 14.
NoTE.—"All heaven was represented to
me as beholding and watching upon the
Sabbath those who acknowledge the claims
of the fourth commandment and are ob-
serving the Sabbath. Angels were marking
their interest in, and high regard for, this
f21
7
divine institution. Those who sanctified the
Lord God in their hearts by a strictly de-
votional frame of mind, and who sought
to improve the sacred hours in keeping
the Sabbath to the best of their ability,
and to honor God by calling the Sabbath a
delight—these the angels were specially
blessing with light and health, and special
strength was given
them."—Testimonies,
vol.
2, pp. 704, 705.
14. In what special way will God's
creative work continue to be remem-
bered? Isa. 66:23.
NOTE.—"When there shall be a 'restitu-
tion of all things, which God hath spoken
by the mouth of all His holy prophets since
the world began' (Acts 3:21), the creation
Sabbath, the day on which Jesus lay at
rest in Joseph's tomb, will still be a day of
rest and rejoicing. Heaven and earth will
unite in praise, as 'from one Sabbath to an-
other' (Isa. 66:23) the nations of the saved
shall bow in joyful worship to God and the
Lamb."—The
Desire of Ages,
pages 769, 770.
Lesson 7, for August 13, 1960
Parents and Children
MEMORY VERSE:
"Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment
with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the
earth." Eph. 6:2, 3.
STUDY HELPS:
"Christ's Object Lessons," 1941 ed., pp. 198-211 (1923 ed., pp. 201-
213); "Messages to Young People," pages 325-340; Taylor G. Bunch, "The
Ten Commandments," pages 91-109; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-
mentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of
July 28.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Questions 1-4.
Monday: Questions 5-7.
Tuesday: Questions 8, 9; begin
reading from Study Helps.
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions 10-12; read
further from Study Helps.
Thursday: Questions 13, 14; finish
reading from Study Helps.
0
Friday: Review entire lesson.
0
Lesson Outline:
I. Parental Responsibility
1.
The institution of the family estab-
lished in Eden. Gen. 2:20-24; 5:3-5.
2.
Material and spiritual obligation of
parents. 1 Tim. 5:8; Deut. 6:3-7;
Eph. 6:4.
II. Children's Debt to Parents
3.
Commanded to honor. Ex. 20:12.
4.
Enjoined to love parents. Prov.
23:26.
5.
Jesus was subject to parents. Luke
2:51, 52.
122
6.
Jesus emphasized the fifth com-
mandment. Matt. 19:19, first part;
15:4-6.
7.
Paul emphasized obedience to par-
ents. Eph. 6:1; Col. 3 :20.
Rewards of Obedience
8.
Commandment of promise. Eph.
6:2, 3.
9.
Obedience rewarded with life and
health. Prov. 4:20-22 ; 3:1, 2.
IV. Children Bring Blessing or Sorrow
10.
Godly children bring joy to par-
ents. Prov. 23:24, 25; 29:17.
11.
Wayward children bring heartache.
Luke 15:11-13.
12.
Return of the prodigal causes joy.
Luke 15:17-24.
V. Last-Day Sign and Promise
13.
Disobedience to parents a last-day
sign. 2 Tim. 3:1-3 ; Mark 13:12.
14.
God's promise to save children.
Isa. 49:25.
THE LESSON
Parental Responsibility
Children's Debt to Parents
1.
What institution besides the Sab-
bath was established in the begin-
ning? How did God complete the
first family circle? Gen. 2:20-24; 5:3-5.
NorE.—"The heart of the community, of
the church, and of the nation is the house-
hold. The well-being of society, the success
of the church, the prosperity of the nation,
depend upon home influences."—The
Min-
istry of Healing,
page 349.
"God designs that the families of earth
shall be a symbol of the family in heaven.
Christian homes, established and conducted
in accordance with God's plan, are among
His most effective agencies for the forma-
tion of Christian character and for the ad-
vancement of His
work."—Testimonies,
vol.
6, p. 430.
2.
What responsibilities devolve
upon parents? 1 Tim. 5:8; Deut. 6:
3-7; Eph. 6:4.
NOTE.—"The family circle is the school in
which the child receives its first and most
enduring lessons. Hence parents should be
much at home. By precept and example,
they should teach their children the love
and the fear of God; teach them to be in-
telligent, social, affectionate, to cultivate
habits of industry, economy, and self-
denial."—Fundamentals of Christian Edu-
cation,
page 65.
"To a great extent, parents hold in their
own hands the future happiness of their
children. Upon them rests the important
work of forming the character of these
children. The instructions given in child-
hood will follow them all through life."—
Testimonies, vol.
1, p. 393.
3.
What corresponding debt do
children owe their parents? Ex. 20:12.
NoTE.—"Parents are entitled to a degree
of love and respect which is due to no other
person. God Himself, who has placed upon
them a responsibility for the souls com-
mitted to their charge, has ordained that
during the earlier years of life, parents shall
stand in the place of God to their children.
And he who rejects the rightful authority of
his parents is rejecting the authority of
God."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 308.
"One of the first lessons a child needs to
learn is the lesson of obedience. Before he
is old enough to reason, he may be taught
to obey. By gentle, persistent effort, the
habit should be established. Thus, to a
great degree, may be prevented those later
conflicts between will and authority that
do so much to create alienation and bitter-
ness toward parents and teachers, and too
often resistance of all authority, human
and
divine."—Education,
page 287.
4.
What counsel should a son heed?
Prov. 23:26.
NoTE.—"The fifth commandment re-
quires children not only to yield respect,
submission, and obedience to their pafents,
but also to give them love and tenderness,
to lighten their cares, to guard their repu-
tation, and to succor and comfort them in
old
age."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page
308.
5.
What example of filial devotion
did Jesus set? Luke 2:51, 52.
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As parents, do we live a life
our
children can honor?
NOTE.—"Jesus
is our example. There are
many who dwell with interest upon the
period of His public ministry, while they
pass unnoticed the teaching of His early
years. But it is in His home life that He is
the pattern for all children and youth. . . .
And every youth who follows Christ's ex-
ample of faithfulness and obedience in His
lowly home may claim those words spoken
of Him by the Father through the Holy
Spirit, 'Behold My Servant, whom I uphold;
Mine Elect, in whom My soul delighteth.' "
—The Desire of Ages,
page 74.
6.
What emphasis did Jesus place
upon the fifth commandment? Matt.
19:19, first part; 15:4-6.
NOTE.—"Christ does not lessen the claims
of the law. In unmistakable language He
presents obedience to it as the condition of
eternal life—the same condition that was
required of Adam before his fall. The Lord
expects no less of the soul now than He ex-
pected of man in Paradise, perfect obedi-
ence, unblemished righteousness. The re-
quirement under the covenant of grace is
just as broad as the requirement made in
Eden—harmony with God's law, which is
holy, just, and
good."—Christ's Object Les-
sons,
1941 ed., p. 391.
7.
In what language does Paul stress
its continued obligation? Eph. 6:1;
Col. 3:20.
Rewards of Obedience
8.
In what is the fifth command-
ment unique? Eph. 6:2, 3.
NOTE.—"This
is not a subject unworthy
of notice, but a matter of vital importance.
The promise is upon condition of obedience.
If you obey you shall live long in the land
which the Lord your God gives you. If
you disobey you shall not prolong your
life in' that
land."—Testimonies,
vol. 2, pp.
80, 81.
;`.`Children Who
.
dishonor and clisabeY their
parents, and disregard their advice and iii-
structions, can have no part in the earth
made new. The purified new earth will be
no place for the rebellious, the disobedient,
the ungrateful, son or daughter. Unless
such learn obedience and submission here,
they will never learn it; the peace of the
ransomed will not be marred by disobedi-
ent, unruly, unsubmissive
children."—Tes-
timonies,
vol. 1, pp. 497, 498.
9.
What rewards does the com-
mandment bring with it? Prov. 4:20-
22; 3:1, 2.
NOTE.—"Our youth profess to be among
those who keep the commandments of
God, and yet many of them neglect and
break the fifth commandment; and the
rich blessing promised to those who observe
this precept, and honor father and mother,
cannot be fulfilled to
them."—Messages to
Young People,
page 331.
Children Bring Blessing or Sorrow
10.
How does filial devotion en-
rich the life of parents? Prov. 23:24,
25; 29:17.
NOTE.—"If your children come forth from
the home training pure and virtuous, if they
fill the least and lowest place in. God's great
24
plan of good for the world, your life can
never be called a failure and can never be
reviewed with
remorse."—Testimonies, vol.
5,
p. 44.
"When the judgment shall sit, and the
books shall be opened; when the 'well done'
of the great Judge is pronounced, and the
crown of immortal glory is placed upon the
brow of the victor, many will raise their
crowns in sight of the assembled universe
and, pointing to their mother, say, 'She
made me all I am through the grace of
God. Her instruction, her prayers, have
been blessed to my eternal salvation'
"—
Messages to Young People,
page 330.
11.
What sorrow will the wayward
child bring? Luke 15:11-13. See also
Prov. 17:25.
NoTE.—"Little did the gay, thoughtless
youth, as he went out from his father's
gate, dream of the ache and longing left in
that father's heart. When he danced and
feasted with his wild companions, little did
he think of the shadow that had fallen on
his
home."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page
203.
"Many fathers and mothers have gone
down brokenhearted to the grave because
of the ingratitude, the lack of respect,
shown them by their
children."—Messages
to Young People,
page
332.
12.
In what spirit did the father re-
ceive back the prodigal son? Luke 15:
17-24.
NoTE.—"In the parable there is no taunt-
ing, no casting up to the prodigal of his evil
course. The son feels that the past is for-
given and forgotten, blotted out forever.
And so God says to the sinner, 'I have
blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgres-
sions, and, as a cloud, thy sins.' Isa. 44:22.
I will forgive, their iniquity, and I will re-
member their sin no more' Jer. 31:34...
What assurance here, of God's willingness
to receive the repenting
sinner!"—Christ's
Object Lessons,
pages 204, 205.
Last-Day Sign and Promise
13.
What will be prominent among
the sins of the last days, and what
tragic consequences will result? 2
Tim. 3:1-3; Mark 13:12.
NOTE.—"Perhaps
no sign of the present
time is more sad than the prevalence of
disobedience on the part of children to par-
ents during the days of childhood, and lack
of reverence and respect when once the
restraints of home have been left behind."
—G. Campbell Morgan,
The Ten Com-
mandments,
page 62.
14.
When the church is faced with
this menace, what comforting prom-
ise may godly parents claim? Isa.
49:25.
NcrrE.—" 'I will save' The answer is em-
phatic—God can save and will save. His
people have nothing to fear. They are not
to focus their attention on the strength of
those who oppress them, but on the might
of their Great Deliverer.
"'Thy children.' That is, Zion's children
(see vs. 14-22). Here Isaiah refers specifi-
cally to the Hebrew exiles scattered in for-
eign lands. In common Hebrew usage
'children,' literally, 'sons,' is synonymous
with 'descendants.' . . . It is the privilege
of parents today to claim for their chil-
dren the promise here made to ancient Is-
rael, for our little ones are objects of di-
vine love."—The
Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary,
on Isaiah 49:25.
SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONS IN BRAILLE
The senior Sabbath school lessons, slightly condensed, are
published each
,
quarter in Braille, and they are supplied free -
to the blind upon request. Address: The Christian Record Benevo
lent Association, Box 66, Lincoln 6, Nebraska.
[
25.1
'
Lesson 8, for August 20, 1960
The Gift of Life
MEMORY VERSE:
"Whosoever hateth his brother is
a
murderer: and ye know that
no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." 1 John 3:15.
STUDY HELPS:
"Patriarchs and Prophets," pages 74-77; "The Acts of the Apostles,"
pages 568-577; "Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing," 1956 ed., pp. 55-58
(1943 ed., pp. 87-90); Taylor G. Bunch, "The Ten Commandments," pages 110-
119; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Scripture references;
Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of August 4.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Questions 1, 2; begin
reading from Study Helps.
Monday: Questions 3-7.
Tuesday: Questions 8-10.
Check
Here
Wednesday: Questions
11-14;
read
further from Study Helps.
0
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I. A Sacred Gift
1.
Life comes from God. Gen. 2:7.
2.
"Thou shalt not kill." Ex. 20:13.
II. Murder and Its Motive
3.
Cain the first murderer. Gen.
4:8-10.
4.
Hatred the motive of Cain's sin.
Gen. 4:5, 8; 1 John 3:12.
5.
Conspiracy and murder. 2 Kings
21:23, 24.
6.
The Lord abhors murder. Ps. 5:6,
last part; Prov. 6:16, 17.
7.
Hatred same as murder. Matt.
5:21, 22; 1 John 3:15.
III. God's People Persecuted
8.
Many ill-treated and killed. Heb.
11:36-38; Matt. 24:9.
9.
Persecutors to receive double pun-
ishment. Rev. 18:6, 24; Matt.
23:34-36.
10.
Spirit of hatred to be manifested.
Luke 21:9, 10; Rev. 13:15 ; Matt.
24:9, 10.
11.
God's people do not resist. Matt.
5:38, 39.
12.
Persecutors' ultimate fate. 1 John
3:15; Rev. 21:8.
13.
Way of escape for sinners. Matt.
12:31; Mark 4:12, last half;
1 John 1:9.
14.
Vengeance belongs with the Lord.
Rom. 12:19; Matt. 5:11, 12.
THE LESSON
.
A Sacred Gift
1. To whom does man owe the gift
of life? Gen. 2:7.
NOTE.
-
"Life
is mysterious and sacred.
It
is
the manifestation of God Himself, the
source of all
life."-The Ministry of Heal-
ing,
page 397.
"In the creation of man was manifest the
agency of a personal God. When God had
made man in His image, the human form
was perfect in all its arrangements, but it
was without life. Then a personal, self-
existing God breathed into that form the
breath of life, and man became a. liv-
ing, intelligent being. . . . Through Christ
the Word, a personal God created man,
and endowed him with intelligence and
power. . . .
[26]
"Above all lower orders of being, God
designed that man, the crowning work of
His creation, should express His thought
and reveal His
glory."—Ibid.,
p. 415.
2.
What prohibition does the sixth
commandment enjoin? Ex. 20:13.
NoTE.—"Life may be taken accidentally,
or in self-defense, or even in shocking care-
lessness, all which is homicide, but not mur-
der. To constitute murder, life must be
taken evilly and willfully. There must be
present in the act personal feeling, hate, or
revenge, or covetousness. It is this personal
feeling which makes murder awful, and
which sends a thrill of horror through the
land as the national conscience is con-
fronted with the hideous sin."—W. Senior,
God's Ten Words,
page 219.
Murder and Its Motive
3.
Under what circumstances was
this law first transgressed? Gen. 4:
8-10.
NOTE.—"When Cain, moved by the spirit
of the wicked one, saw that he could not
control Abel, he was so enraged that he
destroyed his life. And wherever there are
any who will stand in vindication of the
righteousness of the law of God, the same
spirit will be manifested against them. It is
the spirit that through all the ages has set
up the stake and kindled the burning pile
for the disciples of
Christ."—Patriarchs and
Prophets,
page 77.
4.
What was the motive for Cain's
sin? Gen. 4:5, 8; 1 John 3:12.
NoTE.—"Cain hated and killed his
brother, not for any wrong that Abel had
done, but 'because his own works were
evil, and his brother's righteous.' 1 John
3:12. So in all ages the wicked have hated
those who were better than themselves."—
Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 74.
5.
For what other reason has man
sought to destroy his fellow man? 2
Kings 21:23, 24.
6.
What divine condemnation does
the murderer incur? Ps. 5:6, last part;
Prov. 6:16, 17.
NOTE.—" 'Abhor.' God holds sin' in such
abomination that He cannot overlook its
presence in the sinner. Those whom God
abhors are literally 'men of bloods and de-
ceit.' The plural form 'bloods' refers to
bloodguiltiness or murder (see Gen. 4:10)."
—The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-
mentary,
on Ps. 5:6.
7.
How may the sixth command-
ment be broken without actually tak-
ing the life of another? Matt. 5:21,
22; 1 John 3:15.
NoTE.—"Our Lord makes plain the very
spirit of the law, and so confronts the true
spirit within us by teaching that there may
be murder without any killing, or wound,
or even blow. He carries it down from the
deed of the hand to the feeling of the
heart: . . . passion, hate, malice, covetous-
ness, ill temper. . . . In the sight of the
Searcher of hearts, all evil anger, malicious
feeling, and unforgiving temper is the spirit
of murder."—W. Senior,
God's Ten Words,
page 232.
"All acts of injustice that tend to shorten
life; the spirit of hatred and revenge, or
the indulgence of any passion that leads to
injurious acts toward others, or causes us
even to wish them harm (for 'whoso hateth
his brother is a murderer') ; a selfish neglect
of caring for the needy or suffering; all self-
indulgence or unnecessary deprivation or
excessive labor that tends to injure health
—all these are, to a greater or less degree,
violations of the sixth commandment."—
Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 308.
God's People Persecuted
8.
What have the people of God
sometimes suffered for their faith?
Heb. 11:36-38; Matt. 24:9.
NoTE.—"In all ages God's appointed wit-
nesses have exposed themselves to reproach
and persecution for the truth's sake. Joseph
t27
1
The sacredness of life vanishes in the crime
„tee
features of our oge.
was maligned and persecuted because he
preserved his virtue and integrity. David,
the chosen messenger of God, was hunted
like a beast of prey by his enemies. Daniel
was cast into a den of lions because he was
true to his allegiance to heaven. Job was
deprived of his worldly possessions, and so
afflicted in body that he was abhorred by
his relatives and friends; yet he maintained
his integrity. Jeremiah could not be deterred
from speaking the words that God had
given him to speak; and his testimony so
enraged the king and princes that he was
cast into a loathsome pit. Stephen was
stoned because he preached Christ and Him
crucified. Paul was imprisoned, beaten
with rods, stoned, and finally put to death
because he was a faithful messenger for
God to the Gentiles. And John was ban-
ished to the Isle of Patmos 'for the word of
God, and for the testimony of Jesus
Christ.'
"—The Acts of the Apostles,
page
575.
9.
How will the bloodguiltiness of
the persecutors recoil upon their own
heads? Rev. 18;6, 24; Matt. 23:34-36.
NoTE.—"Not long hence they will stand
before the Judge of all the earth, to render
an account for the pain they have caused
to the bodies and souls of His heritage.
. . . They may consign His believing ones
to prison, to the chain gang, to banishment,
to death; but for every pang of anguish,
every tear shed, they must answer. God
will reward them double for their sins."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
pages 178, 179.
10.
In what ways will the spirit of
evil manifest itself in the last days?
Luke 21:9, 10; Rev. 13:15; Matt. 24:
9, 10. Compare Gen. 6:11.
NOTE.—"The
remnant church will be
brought into great trial and distress. Those
who keep the commandments of God and
the faith of Jesus will feel the ire of the
dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the
world as his subjects, he has gained control
of the apostate churches; but here is a lit-
tle company that are resisting his suprem-
acy. If he could blot them from the earth,
his triumph would be complete. As he
influenced the heathen nations to destroy Is-
rael, so in the near future he will stir up
the wicked powers of earth to destroy the
people of
God."—Testimonies,
vol. 9, p. 231.
11.
How will God's people deport
themselves under persecution? Matt.
5:38, 39.
NoTE.—"Satan's attacks against the ad-
vocates of the truth will wax more bitter
and determined to the very close of time.
. . . The people will be led to acts of vio-
lence and opposition.. .
"What course shall the advocates of truth
pursue? They have the unchangeable, eter-
nal word of God, and they should reveal
the fact that they have the truth as it is in
Jesus. Their words must not be rugged and
sharp. In their presentation of truth they
must manifest the love and meekness and
gentleness of Christ. Let the truth do the
cutting; the word of God is as a sharp, two-
edged sword and will cut its way to the
heart."—Testimonies,
vol. 9, p. 239.
12.
What will be the ultimate fate
of the persecutors? 1 John 3:15; Rev.
21:8.
NOTE —"The spirit of hatred and revenge
originated with Satan, and it led him to put
to death the Son of God. Whoever cherishes
malice or unkindness is cherishing the same
spirit, and its fruit will be unto death. In
[28]
the revengeful thought the evil deed lies
enfolded, as the plant in the seed. 'Whoso-
ever hateth his brother is a murderer: and
ye know that no murderer hath eternal life
abiding in
him' "—Thoughts From the
Mount of Blessing,
1956 ed., p. 56.
13. What way of escaping this fear-,
ful fate is held out to the sinner? Matt.
12:31; Mark 4:12, last half; 1 John 1:9.
NorE.—"The humble and broken heart,
subdued by genuine repentance, will ap-
preciate something of the love of God and
the cost of Calvary; and as a son con-
fesses to a loving father, so will the truly
penitent bring all his sins before God. And
it is written, `If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and
to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' "
—Steps to Christ,
1956 and pocket eds.,
p. 41.
14. What assurance does God
give
to His suffering people? Rom. 12:19;
Matt. 5:11, 12.
NorE.—"From garrets, from hovels, from
dungeons, from scaffolds, from mountains
and deserts, from the caves of the earth and
the caverns of the sea, Christ will gather
His children to Himself. On earth they
have been destitute, afflicted, and tor-
mented. Millions have gone down to the
grave loaded with infamy because they re-
fused to yield to the deceptive claims of
Satan. By human tribunals the children
of God have been adjudged the vilest of
criminals. But the day is near when 'God
is judge Himself.' Ps. 50:6. Then the de-
cisions of earth shall be reversed. 'The re-
buke of His people shall He take away.'
Isa.
25:8."—Christ's Object Lessons,
pages
179, 180.
Lesson 9, for August 27, 1960
Pure in Heart and Life
MEMORY VERSE:
"Blessed are the pure
in
heart: for they shall see God." Matt. 5:8.
STUDY HELPS:
"Thoughts From
the Mount of Blessing," 1956 ed., pp. 59, 60 (1943
ed., pp. 93, 94); Taylor G. Bunch, "The Ten Commandments," pages 120-134;
"The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Scripture references;
Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of August 11.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check
Here
Sabbath afternoon: General
survey.
Wednesday: Questions 10-13.
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
Thursday: Read Study Helps.
Monday: Questions 4-6.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9.
Lesson Outline:
II. Secret of Stability
I. A Sacred Relationship
1.
Marriage relationship ordained
of
God. Matt. 19:4-6.
2.
Seventh commandment a safe-
guard. Ex. 20 : 14.
3.
The inevitability of life's harvest.
Gal. 6:7, 8; 1 Cor. 15:33.
1
29 ]
4.
Disregard of God is cause of
instability. Rom. 1:28, 29.
5.
Hatred of sin stabilizing influence.
Gen. 39:9, last
part.
6.
God is our sufficiency. 2 Peter
2:9, first part; Col. 3:5 ; 1 Thess.
4:3-5.
Ill. Temple of God's Spirit
7.
Body, the temple of Holy Ghost.
1 Cor. 6:15, 19, 20.
8.
The saints' goal is holiness.
1 Thess. 4:7.
IV. Every Thought in Captivity
9.
Seventh commandment forbids
sensual thoughts. Matt. 5:28.
10.
Fix minds on the holy and pure.
Phil. 4:8.
11.
Possible through Christ. 2 Cor.
10:4, 5.
V. The Pure Remnant
12.
The righteous referred to as
"virgins." Rev. 14:1, 4.
13.
The pure in heart will see God.
Matt. 5:8.
THE LESSON
NOTE.—"He who has once yielded to
temptation will yield more readily the sec-
ond time. Every repetition of the sin les-
sens his power of resistance, blinds his eyes,
and stifles conviction. Every seed of indul-
gence sown will bear fruit. God works no
miracle to prevent the
harvest."—Patri-
archs and Prophets,
page 268.
A Sacred Relationship
1. What relationship did God or-
dain in the creation of our first par-
ents? Matt. 19:4-6. See also Gen. 2:
20-24.
NoTE.—"God celebrated the first mar-
riage. Thus the institution has for its origi-
nator the Creator of the universe. . . .
When the divine principles are recognized
and obeyed in this relation, marriage is a
blessing; it guards the purity and happiness
of the race, it provides for man's social
needs, it elevates the physical, the intellec-
tual, and the moral
nature."—Patriarchs
and Prophets,
page 46.
2.
How is family life safeguarded
in the seventh commandment? Ex.
20:14.
NoTE.—"The command is a simple, un-
qualified, irrevocable negative. 'Thou shalt
not!' No argument is used, no reason given,
because none is required. The sin is of so
destructive and damning a nature that it is
in itself sufficient cause for the stern for-
bidding. . . . A sevenfold vice is this sin
of unchaste conduct, being sin against the
individual, the family, society, the nation,
the race, the universe, and God."—G.
Campbell Morgan,
The Ten Command-
ments,
page 78.
3.
What law inexorably operates in
the life of man? Gal. 6:7, 8; 1 Cor.
15:33.
Secret of Stability
4.
To what may sensuality ulti-
mately be traced? Rom. 1:28, 29.
NOTE.—"Let the mind be directed to high
and holy ideals, let the life have a noble
aim, an absorbing purpose, and evil finds
little foothold. Let the youth, then, be
taught to give close study to the word of
God. Received into the soul, it will prove
a mighty barricade against temptation."—
Education,
page 190.
5.
What was the stabilizing princi-
ple in the life of Joseph? Gen. 39:9,
last part.
Non.—"Joseph's answer reveals the
power of religious principle. He would not
betray the confidence of his master on
earth, and, whatever the consequences, he
would be true to his Master in heaven.
Under the inspecting eye of God and holy
angels many take liberties of which they
would not be guilty in the presence of their
fellow men, but Joseph's first thought was
of God. 'How can I do this great wicked-
ness, and sin against God ?' he said."—
Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 217.
[30]
Q's
The test of keeping the seventh commandment
begins in the mind.
3
.
060
,
3
'6. By what power may the sinner
be delivered from temptation? 2 Pe-
ter 2:9, first part; Col. 3:5; 1 Thess.
4:3-5.
NorE.—"If you draw close to Jesus and
seek to adorn your profession by a well-
ordered life and godly conversation, your
feet will be kept from straying into for-
bidden paths. If you will only watch, con-
tinually watch unto prayer, if you will do
everything as if you were in the immediate
presence of God, you will be saved from
yielding to temptation, and may hope to
be kept pure, spotless, and undefiled till
the last. . . . If Christ be within us, we
shall crucify the flesh with the affections
and
lusts."—Testimonies, vol.
5, p. 148.
Temple of God's Spirit
7.
Why are sins against the body
so extremely wicked? What do we
owe God? 1 Cor. 6:15, 19, 20.
NOTE.—"Is
it true that all the powers of
our being, our bodies, our spirits, all that
we have, and all we are, belong to God? It
certainly is. And when we realize this, what
obligation does it lay us under to God to
preserve ourselves in that condition that
we may honor Him upon the earth in our
bodies and in our spirits which are His."—
Testimonies, vol.
2, p. 354.
8.
What manner of life only is be-
coming to saints? 1 Thess. 4:7.
NoTE.—"Nothing but purity, sacred pu-
rity, will stand the grand review, abide the
day of God, and be received into a pure
and holy
heaven."—Testimonies,
vol. 2, p.
458.
Every Thought in Captivity
9.
How wide an application did
Jesus give to the seventh command-
ment? Matt. 5:28.
NoTE.—"This commandment forbids not
only acts of impurity, but sensual thoughts
and desires, or any practice that tends to
excite them. Purity is demanded not only
in the outward life but in the secret in-
tents and emotions of the heart. Christ,
who taught the far-reaching obligation of
the law of God, declared the evil thought
or look to be as truly sin as is the unlawful
deed."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 308.
10.
What thoughts should possess
the mind of the believer? Phil. 4:8.
NOTE.—"It
is your duty to control your
thoughts. You will have to war against a
vain imagination. You may think that
there can be no sin in permitting your
thoughts to run as they naturally would
without restraint. But this is not so. You
are responsible to God for the indulgence of
vain thoughts; for from vain imaginations
arises the committal of sins, the actual do-
ing of those things upon which the mind
has dwelt."—T
estimonies, vol.
3, p. 82.
11.
By what means is control of
the thoughts made possible? 2 Cor.
10:4, 5.
NOTE.—"It is for you to yield up your
will to the will of Jesus Christ; and as you
do this, God will immediately take posses-
sion and work in you to will and to do of
His good pleasure. Your whole nature will
then be brought under the control of the
81
Spirit of Christ, and even your thoughts
will be subject to
Him."—Testimonies, vol.
5,
p.
514.
The Pure Remnant
12.
What figure is used symboli-
cally of the righteous? Rev. 14:1, 4.
13.
Who only will be permitted to
see God? Matt. 5:8.
NOTE.—"The Bible is an unerring guide.
It demands perfect purity in word, in
thought, and in action. Only virtuous and
spotless characters will be permitted to en-
ter the presence of a pure and holy God."
—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 312.
"The pure in heart live as in the visible
presence of God during the time He-appor-
tions them in this world. And they will
also see Him face to face in the future, im-
mortal state, as did Adam when he walked
and talked with God in
Eden."—Thoughts
From the Mount of Blessing,
1956 ed., p. 27.
Lesson 10, for September 3, 1960
Honesty in All Things
MEMORY VERSE:
"Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, work-
ing with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him
that needeth." Eph. 4:28.
STUDY HELPS:
"Counsels on Stewardship," pages 77-79, 142, 143; "Patriarchs and
Prophets," pages 525-529; Taylor G. Bunch, "The Ten Commandments," pages
135-147; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Scripture refer-
ences; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of August 18.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Questions 1, 2; begin
reading from Study Helps.
Monday: Questions 3-5.
Check Here
Tuesday: Questions 6-8.
Wednesday: Questions 9-13.
Thursday: Read Study Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I. The Right of Ownership
1.
Ownership safeguarded by eighth
commandment. Ex. 20:15.
2.
Wealth is reward for diligent
effort. Deut, 8 : 18.
II. Warnings and Admonitions
3.
Exact only appointed portion.
Luke 3:12, 13.
4.
Admonitions to employers and
employees. Lev. 19:13, 36; Titus
2:9, 10.
5. Dishonest practice in weights and
measures. Deut. 25:13-16; Amos
8:5, 6.
III. Repentance and Restoration
6. Restoration follows repentance.
Ezek. 33:15, 16; Luke 19:8, 9.
7. Giving
to
needy is antidote for
stealing. Eph. 4:28.
8. The Christian will set example of
good works. 1 Peter 2:12 ; 2 Cor.
8:21; 7:2.
IV. Robbing God
9. We may rob God in tithes and
offerings. Mal. 3:8.
l_22
10.
Results of honesty and dishonesty.
Mal. 3:8-10; Amos 8:5, 7.
V. Recompense and Reward
11.
God will take note in the judgment.
James
5:1-5
; Ezek. 7:19.
12.
Exploited ones to be patient.
James 5:7.
13.
God will provide for honest in
heart. Isa. 33:15, 16.
The Right of Ownership
1. By what commandment are the
legitimate rights of possession safe-
guarded? Ex. 20:15.
THE LESSON
will He
vindicate."—Testimonies to Minis-
ters,
page 360.
"Sin is sin,, whether committed by the
possessor of millions or by the beggar in
the streets. Those who secure property by
false representations are bringing condem-
nation on their souls. All that is obtained
by deceit and fraud will be only a curse to
the
receiver."—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 311.
4. Against what temptation are em-
ployers warned? What should all
workers render? Lev. 19:13, 36; Ti-
tus 2:9, 10.
NOTE.—"Both public and private sins are
included in this prohibition. The eighth
commandment condemns manstealing and
slave dealing, and forbids wars of conquest.
It condemns theft and robbery. It de-
mands strict integrity in the minutest de-
tails of the affairs of life. It forbids over-
reaching in trade, and requires the payment
of just debts or wages. It declares that
every attempt to advantage one's self by
the ignorance, weakness, or misfortune of
another is registered as fraud in the books
of
heaven."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page
309.
2. What reward for diligent effort
does God promise? Deut. 8:18.
NoTE.—"There is no sin in being rich if
riches are not acquired by injustice."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 266.
"All that we are and all that we have
are from God. Consciousness of this fact
keeps a man humble and enables him to
view the things of time in their true per-
spective."—The
Seventh-day Adventist Bi-
ble Commentary,
on Deut. 8:18.
Warnings and Admonitions
3. What counsel was given the tax-
gatherers in Christ's day? Luke 3:
12, 13.
NoTE.—"The
great and holy and merciful
God will never be in league with dishonest
practices; not
a
single touch of injustice
NOTE.—"Were the principles of God's
laws regarding the distribution of property
carried out in the world today, how dif-
ferent would be the condition of the people!
An observance of these principles would
prevent the terrible evils that in all ages
have resulted from the oppression of the
poor by the rich and the hatred of the rich
by the poor. While it might hinder the
amassing of great wealth, it would tend to
prevent the ignorance and degradation of
tens of thousands whose ill-paid servitude
is required for the building up of these
colossal fortunes. It would aid in bringing
a peaceful solution of problems that now
threaten to fill the world witlY
-
anarchy and
bloodshed."—Education, page 44.
"If a workman in the daily vocations of
life is unfaithful and slights his work, the
world will not judge incorrectly if they
estimate his standard in religion according
to his standard in
business."—Testimonies,
vol. 4, pp. 310, 311.
5. What forms of dishonesty have
been frequently used in the course of
buying and selling? Deut. 25:13-16;
Amos 8:5, 6.
NoTE.—"An
honest
man,
according to
Christ's measurement, is one who will
f 33 3
He who takes a man's character or robs him
of his good name is the worst of thieves.
manifest unbending integrity. Deceitful
weights and false balances, with which
many seek to advance their interests in the
world, are abomination in the sight of God.
Yet many who profess to keep the, com-
mandments of God are dealing with false
weights and false
balances."—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 310.
"It is neither the magnitude nor the seem-
ing insignificance of a business transaction
that makes it fair or unfair, honest or dis-
honest. By the least departure from recti-
tude we place ourselves on the enemy's
ground, and may go on, step by step, to
any length of injustice. A large proportion
of the Christian world flivorce religion from
their business. Thousa
l
tids of little tricks
and petty dishonesties are practiced in deal-
ing with their fellow men, which reveal the
true state of the heart, showing its corrup-
tion."—Ibid.7.
vol. 4, p. 337.
Repentance and Restoration
6. What course of action is re-
quired of a repentant thief? Ezek. 33:
15, 16; Luke 19:8, 9.
NorE.—"Every converted soul will, like
Zacchaeus, signalize the entrance of Christ
into his heart by an abandonment of the
unrighteous practices that have marked his
life. Like the chief publican, he will give
proof of his sincerity by making restitu-
tion. . . .
"If we have injured others through any
unjust business transaction, if we have
overreached in trade, or defrauded any
man, even though it be within the pale of
the law, we should confess our wrong, and
make restitution as far as lies in our power.
It is right for us to restore not only that
which we have taken, but all that it would
have accumulated if put to a right and wise
use during the time it has been in our pos-
session."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 556.
7.
What antidote for stealing is
recommended? Eph. 4:28.
NoTE.—"There are many ways besides
the outright taking of the property of oth-
ers in which we may be guilty of this sin,
such as a dishonest or sharp business trans-
action. Hence Paul's command may apply
to professing Christians. Thieving takes
many insidious disguises, but in all cases it
is a violation of the basic commandment of
love to one's neighbor.
" 'Labour.' It may be debated whether
the stealing was a cause or a result of idle-
ness, but certainly work is the remedy. Paul
does not merely forbid an evil. If it is true
that 'nature abhors a vacuum,' it is equally
true that habits given up must be replaced
by others. . . . Idleness and theft tend to
go together, as do labor and honesty. . . .
"The making of money for its own sake
is not a Christian activity; the rewards of
honest labor are to be received and dis-
persed in the spirit of Christian stewardship.
The believer works in order that he may be
able to help others after having discharged
his obligation to society by supporting him-
self. Thus he lives in marked contrast with
the thief."—The
Seventh-day Adventist Bi-
ble Commentary,
on Eph. 4:28,
8.
What example should the Chris-
tian set the unbeliever? 1 Peter 2:12;
2 Cor. 8:21; 7:2.
NOTE.—"When a man is indeed con-
nected with God, and is keeping His law in
truth, his life will reveal the fact; for all
his actions will be in harmony with the
teachings of Christ. He will not sell his
honor for gain. His principles are built
upon the sure foundation, and his conduct
in worldly matters is a transcript of his
f
34 ]
principles. Firm integrity shines forth as
gold amid the dross and rubbish of the
world."—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 310.
Robbing God
9.
In what other way, besides abus-
ing the rights of fellow men, is the
eighth commandment broken? Mal.
3:8.
NorE.—"As a man deals with his fellow
men, so will he deal with God. He that is
unfaithful in the mammon of unrighteous-
ness, will never be entrusted with the true
riches. The children of God should not
fail to remember that in all their business
transactions they are being proved, weighed
in the balances of the sanctuary."—Testi-
monies,
vol. 4, p. 311.
10.
How are the results of honesty
and dishonesty in this matter set
forth? Mal. 3:8-10; Amos 8:5, 7.
NoTE.—"If all who profess to be follow-
ers of Christ were truly sanctified, their
means, instead of being spent for needless
and even hurtful indulgences, would be
turned into the Lord's treasury, and Chris-
tians would set an example of temperance,
self-denial, and self-sacrifice. Then they
would be the light of the world."—The
Great Controversy,
page 475.
"Those who selfishly spend the Lord's
gifts on themselves, leaving their needy
fellow creatures without aid and doing
nothing to advance God's work in the
world, dishonor their Maker. Robbery of
God is written opposite their names in the
books of
heaven."—Christ's Object Les-
sons,
page 266.
"God has made men his stewards. The
property which he has placed in their hands
is the means that he has provided for the
spread of the gospel. To those who prove
themselves faithful stewards he will com-
mit greater trusts. Saith the Lord, 'Them
that honor me I will honor.' 1 Samuel 2:
30. 'God loveth a cheerful giver,' and when
His people, with grateful hearts, bring their
gifts and offerings to Him, 'not grudgingly,
or of necessity,' His blessing will attend
them, as He has
promised."—Patriarchs and
Prophets,
page 529.
Recompense and Reward
11.
How will sinful exploitation
recoil upon the transgressors in the
last days? James 5:1-5; Ezek. 7:19.
NcrrE.—"Riches bring with them great
responsibilities. To obtain wealth by un-
just dealing, by overreaching in trade, by
oppressing the widow and the fatherless, or
by hoarding up riches and neglecting the
wants of the needy, will eventually bring
the just retribution described by the in-
spired apostle: 'Go to now, ye rich men,
weep and howl for your miseries that shall
come upon you. Your riches are corrupted,
and your garments are moth-eaten. Your
gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of
them shall be a witness against you.'
"—
Testimonies, vol.
2, p. 682.
12.
How does God counsel and en-
courage the exploited ones? James 5:7.
NorE.—"Belief in the near coming of the
Son of man in the clouds of heaven will not
cause the true Christian to become neglect-
ful and careless of the ordinary business of
life. The waiting ones who look for the
soon appearing of Christ will not be idle,
but diligent in business. Their work will
not be done carelessly and dishonestly, but
with fidelity, promptness, and thorough-
ness. . . . Their veracity, faithfulness, and
integrity are tested and proved in tem-
poral things. If they are faithful in that
which is least they will be faithful in much."
—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 309.
13.
What are the honest in heart
and life assured? Isa. 33:15, 16.
NoTE.—"Whatever crosses they have
been called to bear, whatever losses they
have sustained, whatever persecution they
have suffered, even to the loss of their tem-
poral life, the children of God are amply
recompensed. 'They shall see His face;
and His name shall be in their foreheads.'
Rev.
22:4."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page
180.
[ 35 ]
Lesson 11, for September 10, 1960
Truthful Lips
MEMORY VERSE:
"Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly
are His delight." Prov. 12:22.
STUDY HELPS:
Taylor G. Bunch, "The Ten Commandments," pages 148-161; "The
Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson
Help in "Review and Herald" of August 25.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Wednesday: Questions 12-14.
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
Thursday: Read Study Helps.
Monday: Questions 4-6.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Tuesday: Questions 7-11.
Lesson Outline:
III.
Lips of the Righteous
I. The Use of the Tongue
1.
The ninth precept forbids misrepre-
sentations. Ex. 20:16.
2.
The tongue is to minister grace.
Eph. 4:29; Ps. 145:5-7, 11, 12;
37:30; Job 16:5.
3.
Uncontrolled tongue capable of
great evil. James 3:5, 6, 9, 10.
II. Slander and Evilspeaking
4.
Ninth commandment can be
broken by talebearing. Lev.
19:16; Ex. 23:1.
5.
Flattery is condemned as false-
hood. Ps. 12:2 ; Prov. 26:28.
6.
Lies for reasons of self-interest.
Ps. 34:13 ; Jer. 9:5.
7.
All lies are evil and an abomination.
Jer. 9:3 ; Prov. 12 :22.
8.
Should keep word even to own
hurt. Ps. 15:4, last part.
9.
God's children will not lie. Isa.
63:8; Ps. 119:163.
10.
Man unaided cannot keep tongue.
James 3:7, 8 ; Ps. 141:3.
11.
Out of abundance of heart the
mouth speaketh. Matt. 12:34, 35;
Ps. 51:6.
IV. Deceivers of the Last Days
12.
Forms of falsehood prevalent in
last days. 2 Tim. 3:3, 13 ; 1 Tim.
4:1, 2.
13.
No guile in mouths of remnant.
Rev. 14:5.
14.
The prayer of the righteous.
Ps. 19:14.
THE LESSON
der or talebearing. Even the intentional
suppression of truth, by which injury may
result to others, is a violation of the ninth
commandment."-Patriarchs
and Prophets,
page 309.
"This commandment may be transgressed
in a public manner by untruthful witness
borne in a court of law (ch. 23:1). Per-
jury has ever been considered a serious of-
fense against society, and has been punished
accordingly. In Athens a false witness was
heavily fined. If convicted thrice of this
[ 36 ]
The Use of the Tongue
1. Against what sin of the tongue
does the ninth commandment specifi-
cally warn? Ex. 20:16.
NoTE.-"This precept forbids every ef-
fort to injure our neighbor's reputation by
misrepresentation or evil surmising, by slan-
ILEN E EN ONE
SHOULD SPEAK
crime, he lost his civil rightS. In Rome a
law of the Twelve Tables sentenced the
transgressor to be hurled headlong from
the Tarpeian Rock. In Egypt the pe'nalty
was amputation of the nose and ears. . . .
"This commandment may also be broken
by those who remain silent when they hear
an innocent man unjustly maligned. It
can be broken by a shrug of the shoulder
or by an arching of the eyebrows. Whoever
tampers in any way with the exact truth,
in order to gain personal advantage or for
any other purpose, is guilty of bearing
`false witness.' The suppression of truth
that might result in injury to oneself or,
others—this too is bearing. 'false witness.' "
—The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-
mentary,
an Ex. 20:16.
2. In what worthy ways should the
tongue be employed? Eph. 4:29; Ps.
145:5-7, 11, 12; 37:30; Job. 16:5.
NOTE.—"The Lord desires us to make
mention of His goodness and tell of His
power. He is honored by the expression of
praise and thanksgiving."—Christ's
Object
Lessons,
page 298.
"Words of cheer and encouragement
spoken when the soul is sick and the pulse
of courage is low—these are regarded by..
the Saviour as if spoken to Himself. As
hearts are cheered, the heavenly angels
look on in pleased recognition."—The
Min-
istry of Healing,
page 159.
3.
What harm may the tongue work
if uncontrolled? James 3:5, 6, 9, 10.
NorE.—"In one moment, by the hasty,
passionate, careless tongue, may be wrought
evil that a whole lifetime's repentance can-
not undo. Oh, the hearts that are broken,
the friends estranged, the lives wrecked, by
the harsh, hasty words of those who might
have brought help and healing
!"—Educa-
tion,
pages 236, 237.
Slander and Evilspeaking
4.
In what seemingly innocent way
is this commandment often violated?
Lev. 19:16; Ex. 23:1.
NOTE.—"There
are some who, in order to
tear down or injure the reputation of an-
other, will, from sheer malice, fabricate
falsehoods concerning
them."—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 335.
"Closely allied to gossip is the covert in-
sinuation, the sly innuendo, by which the
unclean in heart seek to insinuate the evil
they dare not openly express. Every ap-
proach to these practices the youth should
be taught to shun as they would shun the
lel'irosy."—Education,
page 236.
5.
What other form of falsehood is
condemned in the Scriptures? Ps. 12:
2; Prov. 26:28.
NoTE.—"Flattery is also a form of the
same sin. To say to another man concern-
ing him things which are not believed to be
true, which, indeed, are known to be un-
true, simply for the sake of pleasing him,
and paying tribute to his vanity, is to per-
jure the soul, and may be to imperil his
safety."—G. Campbell Morgan,
The Ten
Commandments,
page 103.
6.
To what methods of speaking
and: dealing da. some resort for rea-
sons of self-interest? Ps.. 34:13; Jer.
9:5.
E 87 )
NOTE.—"Lies of self-interest are uttered
in buying and selling goods, cattle, or any
kind of merchandise. Lies of vanity are
uttered by men who love to appear what
they are not. A story cannot pass through
their hands without embellishment. Oh,
how much is done in the world which the
doers will one day wish to undo! But the
record of words and deeds in the books of
heaven will tell the sad story of falsehoods
spoken and
acted."—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p.
335.
"Falsehood virtually consists in an in-
tention to deceive; and this may be shown
by a look or a word. Even facts may be
so arranged and stated as to constitute
falsehoods."—Ibid.
Lips of the Righteous
7.
How does God regard all false-
hood of the lips? Jer. 9:3; Prov. 12:22.
NOTE.—"Falsehood and deception of ev-
ery cast is sin against the God of truth and
verity. The word of God is plain upon
these points. . . . God is a God of sincerity
and truth. The word of God is a book of
truth. Jesus is a faithful and true witness.
The church is the witness and ground of
the truth. All the precepts of the Most
High are true and righteous altogether.
How, then, must prevarication and any
exaggeration or deception appear in His
sight
?"—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 336.
8.
How should the keeping of one's
word be regarded even when it ap-
pears to be disadvantageous? Ps. 15:4,
last part.
NorE.—"An adherence to the strictest
principles of truth will frequently cause
present inconvenience and may even in-
volve temporal loss, but it will increase the
reward in the future
life."—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 337.
9.
How will the children of God
not employ their tongues? What will
they hate? Isa. 63:8; Ps. 119:163.
NorE.—"Everything that Christians do
should be as transparent as the sunlight.
Truth is of God; deception, in every one
of its myriad forms, is of Satan; and who-
ever in any way departs from the straight
line of truth is betraying himself into the
power of the wicked
one."—Thoughts From
the Mount of Blessing,
1956 ed., p. 68.
10.
Can unaided man hope to keep
his tongue in the ways of truth? What
help, therefore, should we ask of the
Lord? James 3:7, 8; Ps. 141:3.
NorE.—"You have a work to do to con-
trol the tongue. It is a little member and
boasteth great things, but it needs the
bridle of grace and the bit of self-control
to keep it from running at random."—
Test/imonies, vol.
2, p. 316.
11.
What ultimately determines the
character of our speech? Matt. 12:34,
35; Ps. 51:6.
NOTE.—"When the mind is pure and the
thoughts ennobled by the truth of God, the
words will be of the same character, 'like
apples of gold in baskets of silver.'
"—
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students,
page 443.
"We cannot speak the truth unless our
minds are continually guided by Him who
is
truth."—Thoughts From the Mount of
Blessing,
page 68.
Deceivers of the Last Days
12.
What forms of falsehood will be
particularly manifest in the last days?
2 Tim. 3:3, 13; 1 Tim. 4:1, 2.
NOTE.—"The teachers of deception dis-
seminate teachings that are inspired by
Satan and his co-workers. . . . Satan works
to control the minds of men, hence, the
importance of a sound intellectual grasp
of truth. . .
"Teachers of deception (v. I) may pre-
tend loyalty to truth while they 'spread
their 'doctrines of devils' (v. 1). Apostates
1383
often do not sail openly under the flag of
error and treason to the cause of Christ.
The teachers of deception trumpet loudly
their loyalty to the cause of truth, thus
better to delude men."—The
Seventh-day
Adventist Bible Commentary,
on 1 Tim.
4:1, 2.
13. What will characterize the lips
of the remnant in the last days? Rev.
14:5.
NOTE.-"
'Guile.' Gr.
dolos,
'deceit,'
`subtlety,' fraud,"guile.' Textual evidence
attests . . . the reading
pseudos,
'falsehood,'
`lie.' The gospel of Jesus Christ changes
sinful, erring man into one who has no
pretense, no make-believe, no deceit, no
sin."—The Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary,
on Rev. 14:5.
14. What language may well be
the prayer of the soul? Ps.
19:14.
NOTE.-"
'Be acceptable.' The psalm
closes with a prayer that at once asks ac-
ceptance of the words and the thoughts
that the psalmist has uttered, and consti-
tutes his general petition for purity of word
and thought in the experiences of every day.
In the general aspect, the prayer is uni-
versal and as such is a model for all men."
—The Seventh-day Adventist Bible
COM-
mentary,
on Ps. 19:14.
Lesson 12, for September 17, 1960
Holy Contentment
MEMORY VERSE:
"And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness:
for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possess-
eth." Luke
12:15.
STUDY HELPS:
"Christ's Object Lessons," 1941 ed., 252-259 (1923 ed., pp. 253-
259); Taylor G. Bunch, "The Ten Commandments," pages 162-173; "The Sev-
enth-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help
in "Review and Herald" of September
1.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Wednesday: Questions 10-13.
Sunday: Questions
1-3.
Thursday: Read Study Helps.
Monday: Questions 4-6.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9.
Lesson Outline:
I. How Covetousness Began
1.
Command against covetousness.
Ex.
20:17.
2.
Covetousness originated with
Lucifer. Isa. 14:12-14; Gen. 3:6.
3.
Covetousness associated with fraud
and hypocrisy. Jer. 6:13; Acts
5:1-5; James 4:1-3.
II. Covetousness Is Idolatry
4.
Where treasure is, there will heart
be. Matt. 6:19.
5.
The apostle calls covetousness
idolatry. Col. 3:5, last part.
6.
God abhors the covetous. Ps. 10:3.
39
III. True Estimate of Possessions
7.
Christians to deny self. Matt.
16:24-26.
8.
We are admonished to mortify
covetousness. Col. 3:5 ; Ps. 119:36.
9.
We are to be content with what we
have. Heb. 13:5.
IV. Divine Remedy for Covetousness
10.
Covetousness one of last-day sins.
2 Tim. 3:1, 2.
11.
Systematic benevolence, God's
remedy for covetousness. Mal. 3 :10.
12.
All covetous excluded from heaven.
1. Cor. 6:9, 10.
13.
Promise to those who apply
remedy. Matt. 6:20, 21, 33.
THE LESSON
How Covetousness Began
1.
How comprehensive is the com-
mand against covetousness? Ex. 20:17.
See also Rom. 13:9.
Nora.-"The tenth commandment strikes
at the very root of all sins, prohibiting the
selfish desire, from which springs the sinful
act. He who in obedience to God's law re-
frains from indulging even a sinful desire
for that which belongs to another will not
be guilty of an act of wrong toward his
fellow
creatures."-Patriarchs and Proph-
ets,
page 309.
2.
Where and when did covetous-
ness first arise? In what circumstances
did it take root in the human heart?
Isa. 14:12-14; Gen. 3:6.
NOTE.-"Instead
of seeking to make God
supreme in the affections and allegiance of
His creatures, it was Lucifer's endeavor to
win their service and homage to himself.
And coveting the honor which the infinite
Father had bestowed upon His Son, this
prince of angels aspired to power which it
was the prerogative of Christ alone to
wield."-The
Great Controversy,
page 494.
3.
With what other sins is covet-
ousness associated? Jer. 6:13; Acts 5:
1-5; James 4:1-3.
NOTE.-"It
was covetousness that Ana-
nias and. Sapphira had first cherished. The
desire to retain for themselves a part of
that which they had promised to the Lord,
led them into fraud and hypocrisy."-The
Acts of the Apostles,
page 74.
Covetousness Is Idolatry
4.
What warning did Jesus
give
concerning treasure? Matt. 6:19.
NoTE.-"We have before us the fearful
doom of Achan, of Judas, of Ananias and
Sapphira. Back of all these we have that
of Lucifer, that 'son of the morning,' who,
coveting a higher state, forfeited forever
the brightness and bliss of heaven. And
yet, notwithstanding all these warnings,
covetousness
abounds."-Patriarchs and
Prophets,
pages 496, 497.
5.
What, therefore, does Paul de-
clare covetousness to be? Col. 3:5,
last part.
NOTE.-"The
word of God defines covet-
ousness as idolatry. It is impossible for
men and women to keep the law of God
and love money. The heart's affections
should be placed upon heavenly things.
Our treasure should be laid up in heaven,
for where our treasure is, there will our
heart be
also."-Testimonies, vol.
3, p. 130.
6.
How does God, therefore, re-
gard the covetous? Ps. 10:3.
NoTE.-"There are today close beside us
many who are hungry, naked, and home-
less. A neglect to impart of our means to
[ 40 ]
these needy, suffering ones places upon us
a burden of guilt which we shall one day
fear to meet. All covetousness is con-
demned as idolatry. All selfish indulgence
is an offense in God's
sight."—Christ's Ob-
ject Lessons,
page 261.
True Estimate of Possessions
7.
What counsel did Jesus give con-
cerning life and material things?
Matt. 16:24-26.
NOTE.—"The Saviour saw that men were
absorbed in getting gain, and were losing
sight of eternal realities. He undertook to
correct this evil. He sought to break the in-
fatuating spell that was paralyzing the
soul. Lifting up His voice He cried, 'What
is a man profited, if he shall gain the
whole world, and lose his own soul? or
what shall a man give in exchange for his
soul? Matt. 16:26. He presents before
fallen humanity the nobler world they have
lost sight of, that they may behold eternal
realities. He takes them to the threshold
of the Infinite, flushed with the indescriba-
ble glory of God, and shows them the
treasure there. The value of this treasure
is above gold or silver. The riches of
earth's mines cannot compare with it"—
Christ's Object Lessons,
pages 106, 107.
8.
How does Paul admonish be-
lievers? How should we ask God to
guide our desires? Col. 3:5; Ps.
119:36.
NOTE.—"In proportion as the love of
Christ fills our hearts and controls our
lives, covetousness, selfishness, and love of
ease will be overcome, and it will be our
pleasure to do the will of Christ, whose
servants we claim to
be."—Testimonies,
vol. 3,
p. 382.
9.
With what should we be con-
tent, and why? Heb. 13:5.
NoTE.—"Open your hearts to receive this
kingdom, and make its service your high-
est interest. Though it is a spiritual king-
dom, fear not that your needs for this life
will be uncared-for. If you give yourself to
God's service, He who has all power in
heaven and earth will provide for your
needs."—Thoughts From the Mount of
Blessing,
1956 ed., p. 99.
Divine Remedy for Covetousness
10.
How does the apostle Paul in-
dicate that the violation of the tenth
commandment will be one of the sins
that characterize men in the last days?
2 Tim. 3:1, 2.
NOTE.—The sin of covetousness is one of
which not only unbelievers are guilty, but
it is also found among the professed chil-
dren of God.
"The selfish, covetous heart will be
tested. Some are not willing to devote to
God a very small portion of the increase of
their earthly treasure. They would start
back with horror if you should speak of the
principal. What have they sacrificed for
God? Nothing. They profess to believe
that Jesus is coming; but their works deny
their faith. Every person will live out all
the faith he has. Falsehearted professor,
Jesus knows thy works. He hates your
stinted offerings, your lame sacrifices."—
Testimonies, vol.
1, p. 195.
[41]
11.
What provision has God made
to check covetousness in His people?
Mal. 3:10.
NoTE.—"Constant, self-denying benevo-
lence is God's remedy for the cankering
sins of selfishness and covetousness. God
has arranged systematic benevolence to
sustain His cause and relieve the necessi-
ties of the suffering and needy. He has
ordained that giving should become a
habit, that it may counteract the danger-
ous and deceitful sin of covetousness. Con-
tinual giving starves covetousness to death.
Systematic benevolence is designed in the
order of God to tear away treasures from
the covetous as fast as they are gained, and
to consecrate them to the Lord, to whom
they
belong."—Testimonies, vol.
3, p. 548.
12.
From what will the covetous
be forever excluded? 1 Cor. 6:9, 10.
NoTE.—"In the day of final judgment
men's hoarded wealth will be worthless to
them. They have nothing they can call
their
own."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page
372.
13.
In contrast to the fate of the
covetous, what promise is held out to
those who make the kingdom of God
first in their thinking? Matt. 6:20,
21, 33.
NoTE.—"And at the final day, when the
wealth of earth shall perish, he who has
laid up treasure in heaven will behold that
which his life has gained. If we have given
heed to the words of Christ, then, as we
gather around the great white throne, we
shall see souls who have been saved through
our agency, and shall know that one has
saved others, and these still others—a large
company brought into the haven of rest as
the result of our labors, there to lay their
crowns at Jesus' feet, and praise Him
through the ceaseless ages of eternity. With
what joy will the worker for Christ behold
these redeemed ones, who share the glory of
the Redeemer! How precious will heaven
be to those who have been faithful in the
work of saving souls
!"—Thoughts From
the Mount of Blessing,
1956 ed., pp. 90, 91.
Lesson 13, for September 24, 1960
The Supreme Motive
MEMORY VERSE:
"Whoso keepeth His word,
in him verily is the love of God per-
fected: hereby know we that we are in Him." 1 John 2:5.
STUDY HELPS: "The Acts of the Apostles," pages 539-567; "Christ's Object Les-
sons," pages 376-389 (1923 ed., pp. 381-395); Taylor G. Bunch, "The Ten Com-
mandments," pages 174-190; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,"
on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of September 8.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions 4-7.
Tuesday: Questions 8-10.
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions 11-14; begin
reading from Study Helps.
Thursday: Read Study Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
42
Lesson Outline:
III. Love and Our Neighbor
I. Love, the Way of Obedience
1.
Love to God and love to man.
Mark 12:28-34.
2.
Jesus amplifies first commandment.
Deut. 6:4, 5 ; 2 John 5, 6.
3.
A new concept of old command-
ment. John 13:34; 15:9, 10.
Love Implanted in the Life
4.
Love comes from God. 1 John 4:
7, 8, 16 ; Rom. 5:5.
5.
Godhead associated in implanting
love. 1 John 4:10, 19; John 17:26;
Gal. 5:22, first part.
6.
Obedience is fruit of love. John
14:15, 23; 2 John 6.
7.
One precept broken violates all.
James 2:10.
8.
To love God we must love our
neighbor. 1 John 4:21; 5 :1 ;
John 15:17.
9.
Our neighbor is anyone who needs
help. Luke 10:29-37.
10.
We must manifest love in tangible
form. 1 John 3:16, 18; John 15:12.
11.
Love is evidence of discipleship.
John 13:35; 1 John 2:10; 4:12.
12.
Love to man summarizes last six
commandments. Gal. 5:14; James
2:8.
IV. Reward of Loving Obedience
13.
Mercy will be manifested to those
who love and obey. Ex. 20:6;
Deut. 7:9; 30:16.
14.
The remnant church will keep the
commandments of God. Rev.
14:12.
THE LESSON
Love, the Way of Obedience
1. How does Jesus summarize the
law and explain the secret of con-
formity to its requirements? Mark
12:28-34.
NorE.-"The scribe was near to the king-
dom of God, in that he recognized deeds of
righteousness as more acceptable to God
than burnt offerings and sacrifices. But he
needed to recognize the divine character of
Christ, and through faith in Him receive
power to do the works of righteousness.
The ritual service was of no value, unless
connected with Christ by living faith. Even
the moral law fails of its purpose, unless it
is understood in its relation to the Saviour.
Christ had repeatedly shown that His Fa-
ther's law contained something deeper than
mere authoritative commands. In the law
is embodied the same principle that is re-
vealed in the gospel. The law points out
man's duty and shows him his guilt. To
Christ he must look for pardon and for
power to do what the law enjoins."-The
Desire of Ages,
page 608.
"God's law is fulfilled only as men love
Him with heart, mind, soul, and strength,
and their neighbor as themselves. It is the
manifestation of this love that brings glory
to God in the highest, and on earth peace
and good will to
men."-Testimonies,
vol.
8, p. 139.
2.
What ancient command did Je-
sus amplify when He designated love
as the way of obedience? Deut. 6:4,
5; 2 John 5, 6.
NOTE.-"He who proclaimed the law
from Sinai, and delivered to Moses the pre-
cepts of the ritual law, is the same that
spoke the Sermon on the Mount. The
great principles of love to God, which He
set forth as the foundation of the law and
the prophets, are only a reiteration of what
He had spoken through Moses to the He-
brew people. . . . The Teacher is the same
in both dispensations. God's claims are the
same. The principles of His government
are the same. For all proceed from Him
`with whom is no variableness, neither
shadow of turning.'
"-Patriarchs and
Prophets,
page 373.
3.
In what way, then, was Christ's
commandment new? John 13:34; 15:
9, 10.
[ 411
NOTE.—"He saw that new ideas and im-
pulses must control them; that new princi-
ples must be practiced by them; through
His life and death they were to receive a
new conception of love. The command to
love one another had a new meaning in
the light of His self-sacrifice. The whole
work of grace is one continual service of
love, of self-denying, self-sacrificing effort.
During every hour of Christ's sojourn upon
the earth, the love of God was flowing from
Him in irrepressible streams. All who are
imbued with His spirit will love as He
loved. The very principle that actuated
Christ will actuate them in all their dealing
one with another."—The
Desire of Ages,
pages 677, 678.
Love Implanted in the Life
4.
From whence does love, the ful-
filler of the law, come? How is it com-
municated to men? 1 John 4:7, 8, 16;
Rom. 5:5.
NoTE.—"This love is heaven-born."—
The Acts of the Apostles,
page 520.
"If we surrender the will to God, we
shall not work in order to earn God's love.
His love as a free gift will be received into
the soul, and from love to Him we shall
delight to obey His commandments."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 283.
5.
In what ways are the three Per-
sons of the Godhead associated in the
impartation of the power of love?
1 John 4:10, 19; John 17:26; Gal. 5:
22, first part.
NoTE.—"In the new birth the heart is
brought into harmony with God, as it is
brought into accord with His law. When
this mighty change has taken place in the
sinner, he has passed from death unto life,
from sin unto holiness, from transgression
and rebellion to obedience and loyalty. The
old life of alienation from God has ended;
the new life of reconciliation, of faith and
love, has begun."—The
Great Controversy,
page 468.
"The love of Christ with its redeeming
power has come into the heart. This love
masters every other motive, and raises its
possessor above the corrupting influence of
the
world."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page
101.
"It is the work of the Holy Spirit from
age to age to impart love to human hearts,
for love is the living principle of brother-
hood."—Testimonies,
vol. 8, p. 139.
6.
How will love implanted in the
life inevitably manifest itself? John
14:15, 23; 2 John 6.
NoTE.—"John did not teach that salva-
tion was to be earned by obedience; but
that obedience was the fruit of faith and
love. . . . If we abide in Christ, if the
love of God dwells in the heart, our feel-
ings, our thoughts, our actions, will be in
harmony with the will of God. The sancti-
fied heart is in harmony with the precepts
of God's
law."—The Acts of the Apostles,
page 563.
7.
In the light of the principle of
love, how serious is the breaking of
one commandment? James 2:10.
NOTE.—"Since all the commandments are
summed up in love to God and man, it
follows that not one precept can be broken
without violating this principle. Thus
Christ taught His hearers that the law of
God is not so many separate precepts, some
of which are of great importance, while
others are of small importance, and may
with impunity be ignored. Our Lord pre-
sents the first four and the last six com-
mandments as a divine whole, and teaches
that love to God will be shown by obedi-
ence to all His commandments."—The
De-
sire of Ages,
page 607.
"God's law is one living word, man's duty
is the response of one central feeling. . . .
Is it not that each sin which the law con-
demns is a violation of that spirit which
the law demands? Love violated, the
whole moral life is violated."—W. Senior,
God's Ten Words,
pages 352, 354.
Love and Our Neighbor
8.
If we love and obey God, whom
else also will we love and serve? 1
John 4:21; 5:1; John 15:17.
( 44
All of mares attempts will never put the law into
action.Love is the only motive powerfor keeping
9000 .1f
the law.
NOTE.—"If we love God because He first
loved us, we shall love all for whom Christ
died. We cannot come in touch with di-
vinity without coming in touch with hu-
manity; for in Him who sits upon the
throne of the universe, divinity and hu-
manity are combined. Connected with
Christ, we are connected with our fellow
men by the golden links of -the chain of
love."—Christ's Object Lessons,
pages 384,
385.
9.
Who is our neighbor? Luke 10:
29-37.
NoTE.—"Christ has shown that our neigh-
bor does not mean merely one of the church
or faith to which we belong. It has no
reference to race, color, or class distinction.
Our neighbor is every person who needs
our help. Our neighbor is every soul who
is wounded and bruised by the adversary.
Our neighbor is everyone who is the prop-
erty of God."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
503.
10.
How will love for our neigh-
bor express itself? What will be the
measure of our love? 1 John 3:16, 18;
John 15:12.
NoTE.—" 'Let us 'not love in word,' the
apostle writes, 'but in deed and in truth.'
The completeness of Christian character is
attained when the impulse to help and bless
others springs constantly from within. It is
the atmosphere of this love surrounding the
soul of the believer that makes him a savor
of life unto life and enables God to bless
his
work."—The Acts of the Apostles,
page
551.
"The law of love calls for the devotion of
body, mind, and soul to the service of God
and our fellow
men."—Education,
page 16.
"The heart in which love rules will not
be filled with passion or revenge, by in-
juries which pride and self-love would
deem unbearable. Love is unsuspecting, ever
placing the most favorable construction
upon the motives and acts of others. Love
will nettgr needlessly expose the faults of
otherent does not listen eagerly to un-
favorable reports, but rather seeks to bring
to mind some good qualities of the one de-
famed."—Testimonies, vol. 5,
pp. 168, 169.
11.
Of what is love to others thus
an evidence? John 13:35; 1 John 2:
10; 4:12.
NOTE.—"This
love is the evidence of their
discipleship. . . . When men are bound to-
gether, not by force or self-interest, but by
love, they show the working of an influence
that is above every human influence. Where
this oneness exists, it is evidence that the
image of God is being restored in humanity,
that a new principle of life has been im-
planted."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 678.
12.
In what one word does Paul
summarize the last six command-
ments? How does James define the
royal law respecting our neighbor?
Gal. 5:14; James 2:8.
NoTE.—"The first four of the Ten Com-
mandments are summed up in the one great
precept, 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart.' The last six are in-
cluded in the other, 'Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself.' Both these command-
ments are an expression of the principle of
love."—The Desire of Ages,
page 607.
Reward of Loving Obedience
13.
What will be the reward here
and hereafter of loving obedience?
Ex. 20:6; Deut. 7:9; 30:16.
[ 45.]
14. What will characterize the peo-
ple who love God and are looking for
the return of Jesus? Rev. 14:12.
NOTE.—The servant of the Lord describes
in graphic language the vision given her of
conditions in the churches preceding the
coming of Christ:
"The light that was shed upon the wait-
ing ones penetrated everywhere, and those
in the churches who had any light, who
had not heard and rejected the three mes-
sages, obeyed the call and left the fallen
churches. Many had come to years of ac-
countability since these messages had been
given, and the light shone upon them, and
they were privileged to choose life or death.
Some chose life and took their stand with
those who were looking for their Lord and
keeping all His commandments. .
"Servants of God, endowed with power
from on high, with their faces lighted up,
and shining with holy consecration, went
forth to proclaim the message from heaven.
Souls that were scattered all through the
religious bodies answered to the call, and
the precious were hurried out of the
doomed churches, as Lot was hurried out
of Sodom before her destruction. God's
people were strengthened by the excellent
glory which rested upon them in rich abun-
dance and prepared them to endure the
hour of temptation. I heard everywhere a
multitude of voices saying, 'Here is the
patience of the saints: here are they that
keep the commandments of God, and the
faith of
Jesus.'"—Early Writings,
pages
278, 279.
[ 46 ]
THIRTEENTH SABBATH OFFERING
September 24, 1960
The overflow this quarter goes to the Australasian Division and
will be used for a new project—a hospital in New Guinea. Up to the
present time we have never been able to establish a hospital with a doc-
tor in charge in this fascinating mission field. In this land of rugged
mountains, beautiful valleys, and many rivers and lakes there are hun-
dreds of thousands of primitive people hidden away deep in the valleys
and mountains. Thousands of men and women who only a few years
ago were cannibals and had never heard the name of Jesus are today
rejoicing in the gospel and in Jesus as their personal Saviour.
Among this multitude of people there are many sick and afflicted
who need to be cared for and who need to be taught how to care for
themselves. Our medical work has been the entering wedge in many
mission lands of earth, and surely we must answer the call of the
people of New Guinea to "come over and help" them. A site has been
selected in the Wabag Valley where there are 200,000 people all speak-
ing the same language.
We solicit the prayers and offerings of our Sabbath school members
around the world in behalf of this new hospital in one of the far out-
posts of mission endeavor. We know you will do your part on Sep-
tember 24.
LESSONS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1960
Sabbath school members who have failed to receive a senior
Lesson Quarterly
for the fourth quarter of 1960 will be helped by the following outline in study-
ing the first lesson.. The subject of the quarter's lessons is "Christ-Centered
Doctrines." The title of the first lesson is "Sound Doctrine." The Memory
Verse is Titus 2:1. The texts to be studied are:
Ques. 1. 2 Tim. 3:1-5, 13; 4:3, 4.
Ques. 2. Jer. 10:8; 1 Tim. 1:4, 9, 10;
6:3-5.
Ques. 3. 1 Tim. 4:6, 13, 16;
Titus 1:9; 2:1, 7, 10.
Ques. 4. Isa. 28:9, 10 ; 2 Tim. 2:15.
Ques. 5. John 7:17.
Ques. 6. Rom. 16:17.
Ques. 7. 2 Tim. 3:15, 16.
Ques. 8. 2 Peter 3:16; Matt. 4:.6.
Ques. 9. 1 John 2:22, 23; 2 John 7, 9.
Ques. 10. Isa. 8:20.
Ques. 11.2 Tim. 4:3.; Acts 5:28;
Jer. 6:16 ; Ezek. 33:31.
Ques. 12. 2 Thess. 2:3-7.
Ques. 13. Rom. 6-:17.
Ques. 14. Acts 2 :42 ; 1 Tim. 4:17.
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